Title: The Level of Knowledge about Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases among Medical Students in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

The Level of Knowledge about Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases among Medical Students in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Background: Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are monogenic disorders that affect the immune system, and increase the susceptibility to infections. The prevalence of PIDs in children less than 5 years old in United States, is 10.3 per 100,000. The lack of knowledge about PIDs is the main cause of the delayed diagnosis that leads to subsequent increments in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge about PIDs in medical students in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting university undergraduate students (third, fourth, fifth and sixth-year medical students) from four universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was distributed to the participants through mediators in each university.

Results: In total, 387 students participated in the study. The majority (69%) were 21-23 years old and just more than half were female (52%). The student’s knowledge score ranged from 3 to 33, with a mean of 14.1 (SD±5.6). The sample was classified according to the level of knowledge into two groups: below-average group and average/above-average group with a cut-off point of 60% of the total score. The majority (83%, n=322) was in the below-average group, while 17% (n=65) in the average/above-average group. In terms of the two groups, the number of participants who are considered average/above-average knowledge were found to be the highest in the sixth year compare to the other years (P value<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicated a lack of knowledge about PIDs among medical students. PIDs should be emphasized more in medical education. This is the first study in the Middle East, to evaluates the level knowledge about PIDs in medical students and to highlights the importance of further studies in the future.

Biography:

Nawaf Alghamdi has completed his MBBS at the age of 24 years from King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. He is currently in his Internship year that take place at King Abdullah Specialist Children Hospital at Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He had participations and publications in multiple researches.