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

Background: Bell's palsy is a paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve that controls the muscles of the face, leading to sudden weakness on one side of the face. Of the total, 60–75% of Bell’s palsy cases are considered idiopathic. Thirty percent of the patients have poor recovery as they may experience facial muscle weakness, facial disfigurement, psychological trauma, and facial pain. Method: This study aimed to examine the awareness level regarding Bell’s palsy among the general population of the Makkah, Jeddah and Taif regions of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study design was undertaken from June to September 2021, included 418 participants, and data were collected using an Arabic self-administered online survey. Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: There was a significant association between sex and the knowledge of Bell’s palsy (P=.022). In addition, a previous history of Bell’s palsy was significantly associated with a good knowledge level: 38.1% of participants with a previous history of facial palsy had a good awareness level compared with 17.6% of those who did not (P=.019). Conclusion: The overall awareness regarding Bell’s palsy was unsatisfactory. More efforts, including health education programs, should be made to improve public awareness regarding this disorder and to achieve favorable outcomes and avoid future complications of the condition.