Introduction: Lack of adherence to a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) is the main reason for poorly controlled disease in patients with coeliac disease (CD). This study aimed to assess the association between knowledge of CD and its medical diet to the adherence of GFD among adult patients with CD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a total of 90 adult patients with CD (aged between 18-65 years). The data collecting instruments were a combination of four questionnaires as follows: assessment of knowledge of coeliac disease (AKCD), gluten-free diet knowledge scale (GFD-KS), coeliac disease adherence test (CDAT), and questions on potential factors influencing GFD adherence among patients. Results: An average knowledge score of five points out of seven was obtained from 46 participants (51%). Mean score for knowledge on gluten-free diet was seven points out of 17 in 59 participants (65%). Adequate adherence to GFD was observed in 56% of the participants. No association was found between knowledge of CD and GFD to the adherence of GFD (p>0.050). Participants who had higher adherence scores were discussing GFD with a specialist, obtaining educational materials, had enhanced symptoms associated with CD, and did not complain about the taste of GFD (p<0.050). Conclusion: Patients with CD has adequate knowledge of CD and adherence of GFD. No association was found between the knowledge of CD and GFD to the adherence of GFD. Further research might explore other potential factors influencing the adherence to GFD.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that mothers avoid early complementary feeding of infants before the age of 6 months, to promote maximum growth and health. However, this practice is still high among Saudi mothers. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards early complementary feeding among Saudi mothers in Riyadh. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted in Riyadh city among 771 mothers of children, aged 6-24 months. Data was collected through an online questionnaire that assessed KAP aspect regarding early complementary feeding among mothers. Results: More than one-third of mothers (37.4%) had introduced early complementary feeding, out of which 83.3% later stated that the main reason for this was because they thought that the baby was old enough to receive complementary foods. The two most common types of complementary foods given to the baby before 6 months were liquids (83.0%) and mashed foods (72.9%). The mothers who introduced complementary feeding before 6 months of age compared to those who initiated complementary feeding after 6 months were observed to have a higher percentage of medium knowledge and neutral attitude (76.0% versus 54.4% and 55.2% versus 62.5%, (p<0.05), respectively). Mothers’ knowledge and attitude significantly influenced their practices in relation to early complementary feeding (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that the appropriate knowledge and attitude are important to promote the introduction of complementary feeding at 6 months in the population that was studied. Thus, education on complementary feeding should be promoted.