Public knowledge and beliefs about the irritable bowel syndrome - results from the SOMA.SOC study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite the epidemiological and economic relevance of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there is a lack of research on what the general public knows and thinks about this condition (IBS literacy). Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore public knowledge and beliefs about IBS in Germany. Moreover, associations of knowledge and beliefs about IBS with socio-demographic characteristics as well as illness and treatment experiences were analysed.

Methods

Analyses made use of a national telephone survey (N = 1,205). A carefully developed vignette describing a person with typical symptoms of IBS was presented. Respondents were then asked to name the disease in question and beliefs about causes and treatment options were assessed. For the analyses respondents wer

SUBMITTER: von dem Knesebeck O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10797779 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature