Abstract
Background: Pilonidal sinus disease (PNS) is characterized with the formation of a small hole or tunnel beneath the skin of sacrococcygeal region located around the base of tail bone. The hole can occasionally become infected and painful under some circumstances. One of the most common reported risk factors of pilonidal sinus is prolonged sitting. This study aimed to assess the general public awareness of PNS in Saudi Arabia and to explore the relationship between level of awareness and different socio-demographic factors.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general public of different regions in Saudi Arabia between June and August 2021. Pretested questionnaire was used in data collection. Data were encoded, entered, and analyzed using statistical package for social science version 23.
Results: A total of 450 participants were enrolled, 76.7% of them were females (N = 345). 42.9% of the respondents had heard about PNS and their primary source of information was family and friends (25.1%). The mean awareness score was found to be 20.0 ± 4.17. Only 93 (20.7%) of the participants had good awareness about PNS, while 357 (79.3%) had poor awareness. Significant associations were observed between age, nationality, marital status, occupational status, and family monthly income in relation to the level of awareness about PNS, with p-values of <0.001, 0.006, 0.004, 0.007, and <0.001, respectively. Those aged 18-25 years, non-Saudi Arabians national, single, unemployed, and had income between 10,000 and 14,999 Saudi Riyal are more significantly aware about PNS. No statistically significant association between gender and educational level with the level of awareness regarding PNS was found, p-value 0.083 and 0.066, respectively.
Conclusion: Only about one quarter of the respondents have good general knowledge and awareness regarding PNS. These knowledge gaps need to be addressed and can be done through more involvement of health professionals in awareness campaigns such as social events. The media can also play crucial role, especially through TV programs and social media.

Key words: small hole, PNS, beneath, painful, symptoms, pilonidal, sinus.