Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding proctological diseases with a focus on anal fistula: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Turkiye.
Nearly half of Turkish patients aware of anal fistula causes gave correct answers
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding proctological diseases with a focus on anal fistula: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Turkiye.
Globally, sociocultural factors often pose significant barriers for patients in seeking medical attention and accessing appropriate treatment.
This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding anal fistula and other proctological conditions in Turkiye.
Were consecutively recruited and consisted of individuals aged 18 and over who visited the general surgery outpatient clinic for any reason.
Only about 4 in 10 who claimed awareness actually knew the causes correctly.
A history of at least one proctological disease was reported by 332 individuals (47.2%), and 115 participants (16.3%) had undergone surgery for a proctological condition at least once.
Traditional treatment methods had been tried by 73 respondents (10.3%).
The total KAP score was significantly lower among participants with primary education compared with those with higher education (P = .02).
In addition, participants with a history of proctological disease or a diagnosis of anal fistula had significantly higher KAP scores (P < .05).
On the basis of the findings of the KAP analysis, it is essential to identify knowledge gaps and misconceptions and to develop educational and public health strategies aimed at improving community health outcomes.