Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding proctological diseases with a focus on anal fistula: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Turkiye

Globally, sociocultural factors often pose significant barriers for patients in seeking medical attention and accessing appropriate treatment. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding anal fistula and other proctological conditions in Turkiye. The findings will help identify gaps in health education and support the development of targeted public health interventions. This research is a cross-sectional survey study conducted among individuals who applied to a tertiary care center. Participants were consecutively recruited and consisted of individuals aged 18 and over who visited the general surgery outpatient clinic for any reason. Data were collected through an online questionnaire based on Google Forms. The survey included questions on demographic information, disease awareness, attitudes toward treatment, and healthcare-seeking behavior. A knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) analysis was performed to assess participants' understanding of the disease, their treatment preferences, and health-related practices. A total of 702 participants were included in the analysis, of whom 377 (53.7%) were female and 325 (46.3%) were male. A history of at least one proctological disease was reported by 332 individuals (47.2%), and 115 participants (16.3%) had undergone surgery for a proctological condition at least once. Traditional treatment methods had been tried by 73 respondents (10.3%). A total of 330 participants (46.9%) stated they were aware of the causes of anal fistula; however, only 143 (43.3%) of them gave correct answers. The total KAP score was significantly lower among participants with primary education compared with those with higher education (P = .02). Participants over the age of 45 had significantly higher total KAP scores compared with both younger age groups (≤30 and 31-45 years; P < .001). In addition, participants with a history of proctological disease or a diagnosis of anal fistula had significantly higher KAP scores (P < .05). Raising awareness of proctological diseases in Turkiye remains a significant challenge. On the basis of the findings of the KAP analysis, it is essential to identify knowledge gaps and misconceptions and to develop educational and public health strategies aimed at improving community health outcomes.