A BSTRACT Background: Thyroid disorders are a significant public health concern in Saudi Arabia, yet data on public awareness and associated behavioral factors remain limited. This study aims to assess and compare the demographic, behavioral, and nutritional awareness of thyroid disorders between healthy individuals and those with a diagnosed condition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2025, involving 697 participants aged 18 and older. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was distributed online to assess demographics, medical history, and awareness of thyroid disorders and related nutritional factors. Data were analyzed using RStudio, with Chi-square tests used to examine associations between disease status and awareness variables. Results: The study included 581 healthy participants and 116 with thyroid disorders. Females predominated in the thyroid disease group (88% vs. 50%). Participants with thyroid disorders demonstrated significantly higher awareness of risk factors ( P < 0.001), symptoms ( P < 0.001), and the role of iodine ( P = 0.040). Those with a diagnosis were more likely to cite healthcare professionals as their primary information source (58%), whereas healthy individuals relied on informal sources. Notably, nearly half of all respondents (46.5%) had never been tested for thyroid function. Conclusion: Although individuals with a thyroid disorder have greater knowledge, public awareness among the general population in Riyadh is insufficient, with a heavy reliance on non-professional sources. Targeted educational initiatives are required to improve health literacy, encourage proactive screening, and address misconceptions, particularly among younger adults and males, to reduce the burden of thyroid disease.
Almazrou et al. (Wed,) studied this question.