Awareness of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus among the Population of Al-Qunfudhah Area, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system targets different organs or tissues, resulting in harm and malfunction. It primarily affects women aged 15–45 years. Previous studies in Saudi Arabia indicate low awareness levels about SLE, necessitating further investigation in Al-Qunfudhah. This study objected to evaluating the information about SLE and identifying misconceptions about Al-Qunfudhah people. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study design was used. Data were extracted through an online questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitudes toward SLE. A sample size of 393 participants who agreed to participate in this study was selected. Results: The demographic characteristics of the 393 participants indicate a predominantly older and female sample, with 41.2% aged 40 years and above and 80.2% identifying as female. A significant portion are students and government employees (35.1% each), reflecting a diverse educational and occupational background, with 78.4% having attended college. The majority are married (50.6%) or single (46.1%), and nearly half earn <5000 SRs. Participants’ opinions on various aspects of SLE reveal significant gaps in knowledge and misconceptions. While 83.2% correctly identified that SLE is not contagious, 29.8% perceived it as high risk. There is confusion about the nature of the disease; 47.3% believed it to be hereditary, whereas 42.2% thought it involved the body attacking itself. Regarding gender prevalence, only 4.1% recognized that SLE primarily affects females. Most (51.9%) incorrectly thought it does not affect any organ, despite the majority identifying skin (54.5%) and joint issues (37.9%) as commonly affected areas. Symptoms like rash (35.1%) and joint pain (31.0%) were acknowledged, but many (58.8%) were unsure about diagnosis via blood tests. Additionally, 31% believed SLE cannot be prevented, and 47.3% thought it is not treatable. Awareness promotion for SLE was deemed unnecessary by 86.3% of participants, highlighting a critical need for better education on the disease. This study indicated significant differences in participants’ overall knowledge related to SLE across different age groups ( P < 0.001) and gender ( P < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found related to occupation, educational level, marital status, or income level ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that the general population of Al-Qunfudhah Governorate has limited knowledge and awareness of SLE. To address this issue, it is essential to implement educational initiatives about the disease.