Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Bell’s Palsy Among the General Population in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and Aims: Bells palsy is an idiopathic facial nerve paralysis causing unilateral muscle weakness, characterized by symptoms such as an inability to furrow the forehead, a drooping eyelid, and a drooping corner of the mouth. Commonly, Bell’s palsy has an unknown origin but has been linked to reactivated herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) at the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and awareness regarding Bell’s palsy among the general population in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 503 individuals selected randomly from the general population in Jazan. Data was collected through a validated online questionnaire. Results: The study included a total of 503 participants, with 31 (6.2%) diagnosed with facial palsy. Bell’s palsy awareness among participants was evaluated, revealing that 187 (37.2%) identified it as an idiopathic condition. Regarding age, nearly all the participants under 20 showed poor levels of awareness (95.9%). Among those aged 20-35, only 46 (23.4%) had good awareness (P ≤ 0.011). Moreover, only 10 (32.3%) of the diagnosed individuals demonstrated good levels of awareness (P ≤ 0.028). In addition, most of the participants who knew someone who had been diagnosed with facial palsy (319; 80.4%) had a poor level of awareness (P ≤ 0.026). Conclusions: The study revealed moderate awareness of Bell's palsy among the general population in the Jazan region, with age being a significant factor influencing awareness levels. The findings indicated the necessity for targeted educational interventions, particularly targeting younger individuals.

References

1. 1.Tiemstra JD, Khatkhate N. Bell's palsy: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physi­ cian. 2007;76(7):997-1002.
2. 2.Holland NJ, Weiner GM: Recent devel­ opments in Bell’s palsy. BMJ . 2004; 329:553-7.
3. 3.Alherabi A, Al-Khatib T, Sheffah FRA, Alturki Y, Alqurashi H, Alhassoun A, Alqurashi O. Knowledge and awareness re­ garding Bell’s palsy among the general Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Bell’s Palsy Among the General Population in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences , Volume 12 Issue 4 October 2024, Rabi Al-Awwal 1446 population in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. J Healthc Sci. 2021;02:01-8. doi:10.52533/johs.2021.2101 doi:10.52533/johs.2021.2101
4. 4.Kochhar A, Larian B, Azizzadeh B. Facial nerve and parotid gland anatomy. Otolaryn­ gol Clin North Am. 2016;49(2):273-284. doi:10.1016/j.otc.20l5.10.002 doi:10.1016/j.otc.20l5.10.002
5. 5.Eltayeb YG, Alshammari TS, Almarshadi HA. Awareness of Hail region population about facial nerve palsy (seventh cranial nerve palsy). Neuroscience and Medicine, 2022;13(3):lll-119
6. 6.Kim MH, Park SY. Population-based study and a scoping review for the epidemi­ ology and seasonality in and effect of weath­ er on Bell’s palsy. Sci Rep, 2021;ll(l):16941.
7. 7.Alanazi F, Kashoo FZ, Alduhishy A, Aldaihan M, Ahmad F, Alanazi A. Incidence rate, risk factors, and management of Bell’s palsy in the Qurayyat region of Saudi Arabia. PeerJ. 2022;10:el4076. doi:10.7717/peerj.14076 doi:10.7717/peerj.14076
8. 8.Brackmann DE. Bell’s palsy: Incidence, etiology, and results of medical treatment. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1974;7:357-68. doi:10.1016/s0030-6665(20)32842-5 doi:10.1016/s0030-6665(20)32842-5
9. 9.Gupta S, Gupta V. Incidence and man­ agement of Bell’s palsy in peripheral facial paralysis cases. Int J Res Med Sci. Published Online First: 2022. https ://www.researchgate.net/publication/358867461_Incidence_and_management_of_Bell's_palsy_i n_peripheral_facial_paralysis_cases
10. 10.Morris AM, Deeks SL, Hill MD, et al. Annualized incidence and spectrum of ill­ ness from an outbreak investigation of Bell’s palsy. Neuroepidemiology. 2002;21:255-61. doi:10.1159/000065645 doi:10.1159/000065645
11. 11.Awada AA, Ismail HM, Al-Rajeh SM, Bademosi O, Borollosi M, al-Shammasi S: Bell’s palsy in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J. 1992;13:534-7.
12. 12.Lafi Alanazi W, Abo El-Fetoh NM, Lafi Alanazi S, et al. Profile of facial palsy in Arar, northern Saudi Arabia. Electron Physician. 2017;9:5596-602. doi:10.19082/5596 doi:10.19082/5596
13. 13.Naram A, Prabu D, Dr. Deepak S: Knowl­ edge awareness and practice regarding Bell’s palsy among dental students in Chennai. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Govern­ ment. 2021. doi:10.47750/cibg.2021.27.02.313 doi:10.47750/cibg.2021.27.02.313
14. 14.Madhok VB, Gagyor I, Daly F, Somasundara D, Sullivan M, Gammie FM, Sullivan FM: Corticosteroids for Bell’s palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;7:CD001942.
15. 15.Thielker J, Kuttenreich AM, Volk GF, Guntinas-Lichius O: Diagnostics and therapy of idio­ pathic facial palsy (Bell’s palsy). Laryngorhinootologie. 2021;100:1004-18. doi:10.1055/a-1529-3582 doi:10.1055/a-1529-3582
16. 16.Warner MJ, Hutchison J, Varacallo M. Bell’s Palsy.Treasure Island (FL); 2023.
17. 17.van der Meer TGLA, Jin Y. Seeking formula for misinformation treatment in public health crises: The effects of corrective information type and source. Health Commun. 2020;35:560-75. doi:10.1080/10410236.2019.1573295 doi:10.1080/10410236.2019.1573295
18. 18.Im H, Hull J. Does health information in mass media help or hurt patients? Investigation of potential negative influence of mass media health information on patients’beliefs and medi­ cation regimen adherence. J Health Commun. 2017; 22:214-22. doi:10.1080/10810730.2016.1261970 Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Bell’s Palsy Among the General Population in theJazan Region of Saudi Arabia doi:10.1080/10810730.2016.1261970