Assessing Public Awareness and Social Acceptance of Scoliosis Screening and Treatment Options in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Scoliosis is a common musculoskeletal disorder that remains underrecognized in Saudi Arabia, where limited public awareness may delay early detection and treatment. This study assessed public knowledge, support for school-based screening, and attitudes toward treatment.

Methods

A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 2025 Saudi National Scoliosis Awareness Campaign through public venues and online platforms. A culturally adapted questionnaire assessed demographics, knowledge, symptom recognition, treatment preferences, barriers, and information sources. A total of 2055 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

Results

While 70.9% of participants had heard of scoliosis, only 18.1% reported good understanding. Symptom recognition was limited, with spinal curvature, back pain, and uneven shoulders most often identified. Most respondents supported school-based screening (88.2%) and early detection (92.1%), with a mean preferred screening age of 8 years. Bracing (64.3%) and surgery (53.5%) were more accepted than observation (30.5%), though concerns about pain, effectiveness, and appearance were frequent. Social media was the most common initial information source (34.6%), while healthcare professionals were the preferred future source (79.2%). Reported barriers included lack of awareness (68.2%), difficulty accessing specialists (19.9%), and cost (8.9%).

Conclusions

Public support for school-based screening is strong, but baseline knowledge remains limited, and treatment perceptions are shaped by psychosocial and cultural concerns. National campaigns, school curricula, and healthcare-led education, combined with accessible, low-cost screening, may enhance early detection and improve scoliosis management in Saudi Arabia.