Knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes among general population towards bipolar disorders: a cross-sectional report from the Southern region of Saudi Arabia

- OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand the impact of demo-graphic characteristics and to describe the gen-der differences in knowledge, beliefs, and at-titudes towards bipolar disorders among com-mon residents in the southern region of Sau-di Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sec-tional survey was conducted between January 2021 and March 2021. The survey was conduct-ed among the common residents in the South-ern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected by using a structured, self-administered, validated questionnaire com-prised of a dichotomous type of questions along with Likert scale. RESULTS: There is a significant difference in the distribution of knowledge scores between male and female study participants (p=0.000). No significant gender differences have been identified in beliefs and attitudes toward bi-polar disorder (p=0.229) and in overall score (p=0.159). The traumatic event was reported as the major cause of bipolar disorder. The age group and employment status were found to be the major predictor of knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about bipolar disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Although the knowledge awareness rate on bipolar disorder is high among public in the Southern region, there is a vast scope for improving it. Education should be disseminated to promote mental health awareness and improve attitudes and beliefs on bipolar disorders and reduce stig-ma and discrimination against patients with bi-polar disorders.