Public knowledge and attitude toward lumbar puncture among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge of and attitudes toward the lumbar puncture procedure among adults in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, 2018.

This study used a quantitative cross-sectional evaluation of the responses of adults aged ⩾18 years from the Saudi Telecom Company database in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia to an online survey between October and December 2018. The questionnaire included questions on knowledge, attitudes, and demography. The questionnaire was pretested and validated (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.701).

Of 1500 questionnaires, 1223 (81.5%) were returned and included in the analysis. In the study, 57.7% of the participants were aged 18–25 years, and 58.5% of the participants were females. Only 235 (19.2%) participants had an accepted knowledge level of lumbar puncture. The attitudes of the majority of the participants (n = 1151, 94%) to lumbar puncture were acceptable. A multivariate logistic regression test revealed a significant association between an acceptable knowledge level and acceptable attitude level (odds ratio = 2.30, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–5.66). A significant association was also found with ages over 46 years old (odds ratio = 12.99, 95% confidence interval = 4.45–37.9). The attitudes level toward lumbar puncture had a significant negative association among the participants who had a fear of injections in the lumbar region (odds ratio = 0.46, 95% confidence interval = 0.3–0.68).

There is a lack of appropriate knowledge of the lumbar puncture procedure among the public which predict an unacceptable attitude toward lumbar puncture. Improvements in public education could improve public awareness of the clinical importance/value and complications of lumbar puncture.