TITLE:
Public Knowledge of Microplastics, Plastic-Use Behaviors, and Readiness to Change among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Noorah Al-Sowayan, Safeyah Sendi, Nouf Aljaser
KEYWORDS:
Microplastics, Public Awareness, Plastic-Use Behavior, Knowledge-Behavior Gap, Saudi Arabia, Health Education
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.17 No.11,
November
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Microplastics (MPs), plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are widespread in environmental media and have been detected in human tissues and biological samples, yet public understanding of their potential health implications remains limited. Objectives: This study assessed public knowledge of microplastics, plastic-use behaviors, perception of harm, barriers to behavior change, and readiness to adopt exposure-reducing practices among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March 9 and April 3, 2026, using a 34-item self-administered online questionnaire. A convenience sample of 300 Arabic-speaking adults aged 18 years or older was analyzed. Three composite scores were computed: knowledge, behavioral exposure, and perception of harm. Results: The mean knowledge score was 65.47 ± 24.85%, with 41.0% of participants classified as having high knowledge. Female participants had higher knowledge scores than males (67.85% vs. 60.32%; U = 8231.5, p = 0.030). Bottled water consumption was the most frequent exposure-related behavior (3.76 ± 1.22). Knowledge was moderately correlated with perception of harm (rho = 0.416, p