Context: No study has investigated the awareness of uterine artery embolization (UAE)
as a treatment option for uterine fibroids among Saudi women. Aims: The aim of this
study was to investigate Saudi women's awareness of UAE as a therapeutic modality
for uterine fibroids Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted
in Hail and Riyadh. Subjects and Methods: In 2019, an anonymous online questionnaire
was sent via social media to women residing in Hail and Riyadh. The questionnaire
contained 11 multiple-choice questions divided into two parts. The first part contained
questions about demographic characteristics and one question about their history of
fibroids. The second part contained items pertaining to awareness of treatment options
for uterine fibroids and whether they were aware of UAE. Statistical Analysis Used:
The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Eight hundred and
forty-five responses have been received. Overall, 76.1% of the respondents had never
heard of UAE. Awareness of treatment options for uterine fibroids was significantly
associated with education level and participants' involvement in a medical field (P
< 0.05; Chi-squared test). 9.2% were from respondents who reported a history of fibroids.
Among them, 71.7% had never heard of UAE; 9% had heard about it from an obstetrician
or gynecologist. Only 6.4% of the participants were aware of all the treatment options
for uterine fibroids; 28.2% believed that hysterectomy was the only treatment for
uterine fibroids. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for public awareness
of the treatment options for uterine fibroids to appropriate candidates.
Saudi Arabia - uterine artery embolization - uterine fibroids - women
