Abstract
Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a virulent pathogen causing gastritis and ulcers followed by serious complications. Despite being a heavy burden to eradicate, there are not many studies that assess the comprehension of future physicians regarding this bacterium. The objective of this study was to assess medical students' knowledge and attitude toward H. pylori while evaluating the variations based on their socio-demographic factors at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among students in all four years of medical college. The data was collected by distributing an online questionnaire which included three following sections: demographic data, knowledge regarding H. pylori infection, and attitude toward H. pylori infection. Total knowledge and attitude levels were grouped into three and two categories, respectively, and compared between the respondents' socio-demographics. Results Out of 330 respondents, the majority were females (n=185, 56%), and the mean age was 22.8±2.1 years. There were 184 students (56%) who had an excellent attitude (>70%) and 140 (44%) students had average knowledge (34-70%). The medical students' knowledge level was significantly (p<0.001) different between the participants according to their year of study and gender, with higher scores reported by male students in their clinical years (sixth and fifth years). Conclusion Medical students of KSAU-HS, Riyadh, had an overall average knowledge and excellent attitude towards H. pylori infection, and its prevention and management which emphasize the need for more comprehensive education and awareness programs throughout the medical curriculum to ensure future physicians are well-prepared to address the challenges associated with H. pylori-related health issues.