Background: Abdominal hernia occurs when tissues protrude through the abdominal walls with symptoms such as pain, inflammation, tenderness, and vomiting. It is thought that abdominal hernias pose a risk factor for the development of acute abdominal obstruction in patients who seek emergency care for abdominal discomfort because they cause bowel obstruction when they occur.
Methods: The study adopted descriptive a cross-sectional design from a sample of 533 participants in the Saudi Arabian general population. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences Version 27.
Results: The findings revealed that 30 (5.6%) of the participants had an abdominal hernia. 17 (3.2%) of them had an acute intestinal obstruction. A considerable proportion 249 (46.7%) of the participants indicated that they had weak knowledge about abdominal hernia. The study results revealed a poor knowledge level about abdominal hernia as a risk factor for acute abdominal obstruction in 346 (64.8%) of the participants with only 187 (35.2%) of them exhibiting good knowledge. The knowledge of abdominal hernia as a risk factor for acute abdominal obstruction was found to be significantly associated with age, education level, and work status (p-values< 0.05).
Conclusion: The study results revealed a considerably poor knowledge level about abdominal hernia as a risk factor for acute abdominal obstruction among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Participants who were 30 years of age or older, those who had attained a higher level of education, and those employed were associated with better knowledge of abdominal hernias. There is a need for public awareness about abdominal hernia among the Saudi Arabian populace.
Keywords: Abdominal hernia, Awareness, risk factor, Intestinal obstruction, Obesity, Saudi arabia