Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Skin Cancer, Risk Factors, and Preventive Measures in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
- 1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Skin cancer is a largely preventable disease associated with ultraviolet radiation exposure that represents an important public health concern in Saudi Arabia. In the context of ongoing social and lifestyle changes, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer and examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics among surveyed adults residing in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered online questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. A total of 451 participants aged ≥18 years residing in Saudi Arabia were included. Data comprised sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer. Descriptive statistics are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and median (interquartile range [IQR]) for continuous variables and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Non-parametric and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess associations between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Results: The median knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 13.0/26 (IQR 10.0–16.0), 6.0/12 (IQR 4.0–7.0), and 5.0/16 (IQR 4.0–6.0), respectively. Sex, education level, and employment status were significantly associated with knowledge scores. Age, sex, education level, employment status, and income were associated with attitude scores. Sex, employment status, and income were associated with practice scores. Conclusions: This study identified differences in skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among adults in Saudi Arabia, highlighting opportunities to strengthen preventive behaviors. Targeted public health interventions may help promote skin cancer awareness and prevention.
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BibTeX
@article{hamed2026public,
title = {{Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Skin Cancer, Risk Factors, and Preventive Measures in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study}},
author = {Munerah Hamed},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15218570},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8570},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Skin Cancer, Risk Factors, and Preventive Measures in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
AU - Munerah Hamed
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15218570
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8570
AB - Background/Objectives: Skin cancer is a largely preventable disease associated with ultraviolet radiation exposure that represents an important public health concern in Saudi Arabia. In the context of ongoing social and lifestyle changes, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer and examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics among surveyed adults residing in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered online questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. A total of 451 participants aged ≥18 years residing in Saudi Arabia were included. Data comprised sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer. Descriptive statistics are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and median (interquartile range [IQR]) for continuous variables and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Non-parametric and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess associations between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Results: The median knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 13.0/26 (IQR 10.0–16.0), 6.0/12 (IQR 4.0–7.0), and 5.0/16 (IQR 4.0–6.0), respectively. Sex, education level, and employment status were significantly associated with knowledge scores. Age, sex, education level, employment status, and income were associated with attitude scores. Sex, employment status, and income were associated with practice scores. Conclusions: This study identified differences in skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among adults in Saudi Arabia, highlighting opportunities to strengthen preventive behaviors. Targeted public health interventions may help promote skin cancer awareness and prevention.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -