Bleeding Per Rectum: Is Awareness of the General Population Essential?

Bleeding per rectum is a medical condition characterized by the appearance of bloody stool, also known as hematochezia. To identify the community’s level of awareness and knowledge about rectal bleeding in Saudi Arabia. To assess the prevalence of rectal bleeding in the Saudi community and evaluate the factors that lead some patients to seek medical care for rectal bleeding. This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the population of Saudi Arabia. The total enumeration method was used for including all the adult males and females who agreed to answer the questionnaire. Pretested questionnaire was used in data collection. Data were coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS 23. A total of 556 participants completed the study. The prevalence of rectal bleeding was found to be 29.9%, only 47% of them asked for medical advice. The main reason for not seeking medical care was the unavailability of time (46.6%) followed by seeking alternative medicine (30.7%). We found that 86.7% of the total participants had poor knowledge about rectal bleeding. Most respondents have low general knowledge and awareness about rectal bleeding and colorectal cancer. Third of the respondents experienced rectal bleeding, only half of them reported seeking medical advice. This serious issue of low awareness and knowledge should be addressed to reduce the late presentation. This could be attained by increasing health education programs such as community campaigns, social events and enhancing the role of media to increase public awareness about rectal bleeding and colorectal cancer.