Awareness of Tuberculosis Among General Population of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant global health burden despite advances in treatment and prevention. Awareness and knowledge of TB among the general population are critical for effective disease control, especially in regions with a moderate incidence like Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Objective This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward tuberculosis among the general population of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2023, targeting 392 adult residents of Riyadh. A structured questionnaire assessed demographic details, knowledge of tuberculosis transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, as well as attitude, and practice toward the disease. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed using SPSS. Results Among the 392 participants, 94.6% had heard of tuberculosis, with 85.2% aware that tuberculosis affects the lungs. However, knowledge about tuberculosis transmission and its bacterial cause was lacking in 14.5% and 31.1% of respondents, respectively. Significant associations were found between tuberculosis awareness and marital status (p=0.001) as well as occupation (p=0.001). Health providers had the highest awareness, while younger participants and housewives demonstrated lower awareness levels.