OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG A SAMPLE GENERAL POPULATION IN SAUDI ARABIA
Abstract
Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a partial or complete blockage of the upper airway while sleeping. The upper airways collapse while sleeping because of a reduction in airway muscle tone, particularly in the inspiratory breathing stage. This study aims to investigate the general population's awareness and knowledge about OSA in a sample of general population in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The present questionnaire-based study was accomplished at the Faculty of Medicine Rabigh, KAU, Jeddah, KSA. A validated questionnaire, OSAKA, was used. The online questionnaire (Google form) was distributed via social media platforms. The questionnaire comprised of 33 questions. Results: The mean age of study participants was 34.98±11.39 years, including 492 (49.9%) females and 493 (50.1%) males). Among the participants, 81 (8.2%) were underweight, 388 (39.4%) were normal weight, 331 (33.6%) were overweight, and 185 (18.8%) were obese. Only 62 (6.3%) participants were diagnosed with OSA. Other characteristics of the participants are given in Table 1. About one-third of the participants, 306 (31.1%), did not know the estimated prevalence of OSA. One-quarter of the participants, 256 (26%), were not aware of the gold standard for diagnosing OSA. Regarding participants' knowledge of OSA symptoms, the participants' responses were apnea (646, 65.6%), snoring (556, 56.4%), daytime fatigue (429, 43.6%), a feeling of suffocation during sleep (696, 70.7%), and others. More than 90% of the participants showed positive attitudes in questions related to attitude. Conclusion: The study found a 6.3% prevalence of OSA among study participants.The participants demonstrated satisfactory knowledge about the common symptoms of OSA; however, insufficient understanding of its complications was apparent among the majority of the participants. Overweight participants showed significantly higher knowledge about the complications associated with OSA. There was a positive attitude towards knowledge and awareness about OSA. There is a need for increased public awareness about obstructive sleep apnea and its complications for early treatment and management, hence, better health outcomes and quality of life.