Knowledge and Awareness of Congenital Umbilical Hernia Among the General Population of Al-Qunfudah Governorate, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital umbilical hernia is a common abdominal wall defect in newborns. It is typically asymptomatic and self-limiting, with most cases resolving spontaneously before the age of two years. Surgical intervention is indicated only when the hernia becomes symptomatic or persists beyond two years of age. OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of knowledge and awareness regarding congenital umbilical hernia among the general population in Al-Qunfudah governorate, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 adults aged 18 years and older residing in Al-Qunfudah governorate. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered online questionnaire following informed consent. Knowledge was assessed using a composite scoring system (range: 0-14) and categorized as poor (0-6), moderate (7-10), or good (11-14). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 26.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY), employing independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and chi-square tests as appropriate. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 3.9 ± 2.5 out of a maximum of 14. The majority of participants (84.1%) had poor knowledge, while 15.9% demonstrated moderate knowledge. None of the participants achieved a good knowledge score. Educational level was the only sociodemographic factor significantly associated with knowledge scores (p = 0.024), with higher educational attainment correlating with better knowledge. CONCLUSION: Knowledge regarding congenital umbilical hernia among the population of Al-Qunfudah is grossly inadequate. Higher educational level is associated with better knowledge. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted community-based educational programs to improve public awareness, facilitate early recognition, and promote timely medical consultation.