Ashraf Reda, Ghadear Al Alawi, Ameen Al Awadhi, Amina Al Obaidli, Fadwa Ebeid, Haytham Mohamed Ahmed
The study identified gaps in awareness and understanding of AA among patients, health care professionals, and medical facilities in the Gulf region through online discussions and search patterns. These insights can facilitate the development of targeted educational initiatives, support strategies, improve awareness, reduce stigma, and enhance support networks for those affected by AA.
BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that can affect the quality of life of affected individuals. Publicly available online conversations and search behavior provide valuable insights into public awareness, understanding, and information related to AA. An infodemiology approach, therefore, offers an opportunity to characterize these perspectives across Gulf countries. This study evaluated the understanding and awareness of AA in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates based on AA-related mentions and internet searches.
OBJECTIVE: Despite its prevalence, AA is often misunderstood, particularly in the Middle East. By examining the data from social media platforms, online forums, and internet searches, this study provided insight into the regional AA perceptions and awareness in these 5 Gulf countries.
METHODS: Online discussions in English and Arabic mentioning AA and related terms were analyzed from the 5 countries between January 2022 and April 2023.
RESULTS: The analysis of more than 8500 mentions of AA over 16 months revealed significant online engagement, especially from the United Arab Emirates. Educational content dominated the discussions, with a notable increase following the Oscars incident in April 2022. Gulf news platforms and X (formerly Twitter) were the primary discussion platforms, with health care professionals mainly using English and patients using both English and Arabic. Common topics included potential contributors to AA, emotional distress, and the AA patient journey.
CONCLUSIONS: The study identified gaps in awareness and understanding of AA among patients, health care professionals, and medical facilities in the Gulf region through online discussions and search patterns. These insights can facilitate the development of targeted educational initiatives, support strategies, improve awareness, reduce stigma, and enhance support networks for those affected by AA.