PREVALENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF ASTHMA AND ITS EXACERBATIONS AMONG GENERAL POPULATION IN SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
Abstract
Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by increased airway hyperresponsiveness and exacerbations that carry a recognizable burden of morbidity and mortality. Improving management and outcomes of asthma requires understanding the knowledge and awareness of asthma and its exacerbations in the general population.The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and knowledge levels of asthma and its exacerbations among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a self-structured questionnaire between July and Dec 2024. The study's population consisted of people in Saudi Arabia over the age of 18 and below 65. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze data on demographic variables, asthma prevalence, and knowledge assessment. Results: Most of asthmatic participants were diagnosed by a physician (90.6%), 67.9% reported wheezing, 81.1% reported nocturnal chest tightness, and 79.2% reported shortness of breath. Approximately 90.1% identified asthma as a chronic disease with acute exacerbating conditions, while 18.4% did not recognize its potentially fatal consequences. Importantly, 49.3% of individuals were uncertain regarding the need for continued medication after exacerbation. The knowledge level was moderate; 45.4% had a fair understanding of asthma, but 28.3% showed high knowledge. Knowledge levels were significantly correlated with age (p=0.013). Conclusion: This study shows that asthma symptoms impose a significant burden on the population of Saudi. Despite asthma being widely recognized as a chronic disease, there remains persistent misunderstanding about treatment adherence and fatal risks. These findings add alarming pressure for targeted educational interventions to improve asthma management and health outcomes that are much needed in Saudi Arabia.