Public Awareness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and its Risk Factors Among General Population in Southern Region, Saudi Arabia, Cross Sectional Study

Background: Globally, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer related mortality. There are many reported causes of HCC including chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, primary autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, and chronic alcohol consumption, which mostly result in liver cirrhosis. Fibrosis and cirrhosis are typically antecedents of HCC. Lack of population awareness may be by itself risk factors for disease and its sequalae. Aim: To assess the general population awareness regarding hepatocellular carcinoma and its risk factors in Southern region, southern of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used targeting all population in Southern region, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted during the period from February 2020 to May 2020. Data were collected using structured questionnaire included person's socio-demographic data, Participants' awareness regarding HCC. The questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms. Results: The study included a total of 956 participants whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years old with mean age of 31.5 +/- 8.6 years old. Exact of 149 (15.6%) participants had positive family history of liver cancer and 157 (16.4%) had family history of liver cirrhosis. Exact of 78.7% of the respondents reported that they know about liver cancer and 75.2% know about liver cirrhosis. In total, good awareness level regarding liver cirrhosis and cancer was low. Conclusions and recommendations: The study revealed that public awareness regarding HCC and its risk factors were low especially for signs and symptoms which are the early alarming noise for having liver disorder. Health care staff was not the main source of knowledge regarding HCC and liver cirrhosis.