Evaluation of knowledge related to Alzheimer’s disease among the general public in rural areas in Libya

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Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a major public health concern due to its rising prevalence and the emotional, physical, and economic burdens it imposes. In many communities, AD is often mistaken for normal aging, which delays diagnosis and treatment. This study evaluated the level of public knowledge about AD in the Wadi al Shatii district of the Fezzan region, Libya. Results A cross-sectional survey using the Arabic-validated Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) was conducted among 430 respondents (response rate: 84.3%). Participants had a mean age of 28.3 ± 15.3 years, with 78.6% reporting no prior contact with AD patients. The average knowledge score was 16.11 ± 2.72. Knowledge levels varied significantly by age, education, marital status, employment, and personal experience with AD ( p < 0.05). Respondents demonstrated the highest awareness in domains related to diagnosis (68.8%) and disease course (66.8%), while knowledge of risk factors (42.5%) and caregiving needs (43%) was notably lower. Conclusions The findings reveal substantial gaps in public understanding of Alzheimer’s disease in rural Libya. Targeted health education initiatives at the local and regional level are needed to enhance awareness, promote early detection, and support caregiving efforts; extension to a national programme would require confirmation in more geographically representative samples.