Abstract
BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that involves the cessation or significant decrease in airflow along with a distinct effort to breathe. While there are several types of sleep apnea, OSA is the most common.MethodologyThis descriptive online cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards OSA over 30 days in a nonrandomized sample of the general population of the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Subjects were included if they lived in the Asir region and were aged >18 years.ResultsOf the respondents who participated in the study, 64% were aware of OSA, whereas 36% were not. Most respondents reported that OSA was dangerous, whereas 24% did not know whether OSA was dangerous. Moreover, 81% of respondents reported that they did not know about methods of diagnosing OSA, and 84% did not know about the methods to treat OSA.ConclusionsSubjects living in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia showed a low level of awareness of all aspects of OSA. Their lack of sources of knowledge indicates the need for medical staff to improve awareness and knowledge of OSA.
Highlights
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea, is characterized by repeated episodes of complete or partial obstruction of the upper airways during sleep, despite efforts to breathe, and is associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation
Of the respondents who participated in the study, 64% were aware of OSA, whereas 36% were not
Most respondents reported that OSA was dangerous, whereas 24% did not know whether OSA was dangerous
Summary
This descriptive online cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards OSA over 30 days in a nonrandomized sample of the general population of the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Subjects were included if they lived in the Asir region and were aged >18 years
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