Abstract
Introduction: Gout is an inflammatory condition of joints which is known since ancient times. Hippocrates described many of his observations about this ailment. There are many factors which are associated with the increased risk of the development of gout. The increase in the awareness level in the community about the risk factors of gout may reduce the incidence of this disease.
Aim: To assess the knowledge and perception of people from Northern Border Province -Kingdom of Saudi Arabia about the risk factors of gout.
Materials & Methods: This research project has been submitted to the institutional ethical committee and after its approval, the willing participants from the Northern Border Province - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been requested to fill the questionnaire.
Results: Two hundred and seventy (270) willing participant completed the questionnaire which included 209 (77.4%) persons with university level education while 61 (22.6%) have the school level education. The majority (91%) of the participants of this study knew that the eating meat increases the risk of gout while only 8% have the knowledge about the eating of seafood as a risk factor of gout and only 33% of the people are aware about the sugar sweetened soft drinks as a risk factor for the development of gout. The persons with university level education have more awareness level as compared to persons with school level education.
Conclusion: Regarding some risk factors of gout, the level of awareness is good among the people but still there are certain important risk factors about which further awareness level needs to be raised in the community.