Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is a prevalent endocrine disorder with potentially serious health implications if not diagnosed and managed early. Awareness and understanding of the condition are critical, particularly among future healthcare providers. AIM: The study was carried out to evaluate the extent of knowledge and awareness regarding hypothyroidism among female health science students at Aljouf University, Saudi Arabia. SUBJECT AND METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, self-administered electronic questionnaire. The sample comprised 384 female students from various academic levels and specializations. RESULTS: Nearly half of the participants (46.3%) demonstrated poor knowledge, while only 19% achieved a high knowledge level. Statistically significant associations were found between knowledge levels and age, academic level, field of study, and personal or family history of thyroid disorders (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study highlights a substantial deficiency in hypothyroidism-related knowledge among female university students. Recommendations: These results underscore the urgent need for targeted health education initiatives to improve thyroid health literacy among students, especially those not enrolled in nursing or health-specialized programs.