Assessment of level of knowledge about cryptorchidism and its complications among paternity age population in the western region of Saudi-Arabia. Cross-sectional Questionnaire based study

Abstract

Background: Testicular descent failure causes cryptorchidism, which is the absence of one or both testicles in the scrotum. The cause of cryptorchidism is still unknown. This study aimed to assess knowledge about cryptorchidism and estimation of cryptorchidism in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 427 participants through an electronic online questionnaire in the western region of Saudi Arabia. All parents with or without children, divorced or widowed, or widower were included. Results: More than half of the participants (64.6%) were aged between 40 and 59 years. The prevalence of UDT was 8.4%. The mean knowledge score was 7.5 ±3,3; out of a total score of 20 (Range 2 – 18). Most of the participants (69.8%) have poor knowledge about UDT, while only (30.2%) have good knowledge about it. There was a significant association between educational level and level of knowledge about UDT (p value = 0.006). There was a non-significant association between age (p value = 0.562) and marital status (p value = 0.457) and level of knowledge. Conclusion: Our results concluded that people from the western region of Saudi Arabia showed insufficient knowledge regarding UDT. The prevalence of UDT was relatively high. Keywords: assessment, awareness, cryptorchidism, parents, western, Saudi