Assessing knowledge and attitudes toward celiac disease in Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to assess celiac disease (CD) knowledge and attitudes among Qassim residents and examined associations with demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 496 adults recruited via social media platforms. A validated questionnaire was assessed for knowledge (7 items) and attitudes (7 items) through online surveys. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorized as poor/good and negative/positive, respectively. Results: While 60.1% (n = 298) had heard of CD, only 6.7% (n = 33) demonstrated good knowledge (mean score: 2.41 ± 1.32). Negative attitudes prevailed (87.7%, n = 435; mean score: 2.06 ± 1.87). Significant knowledge gaps included misconceptions about dietary requirements (40.7% incorrect) and disease triggers (88.9% incorrect). Participants reported limited availability (59.0%) and high cost (89.7%) of gluten-free products. A positive correlation emerged between knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.34, p < 0.001). Age significantly predicted positive attitudes (p-value = 0.006), with no significant demographic associations for knowledge. Conclusion: The study revealed a low level of awareness and persistent misconceptions about CD among the population of the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational campaigns and improved access to gluten-free foods to facilitate early diagnosis and effective disease management.