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General physicians' perspective of sleep apnea from a developing country
Syed Fayyaz Hussain1, Sumaiya Zahid, Raana Haqqee
1Section of Pulmonary Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. fayyaz.hussain@aku.edu
The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|September 16, 2003
Summary
General physicians show limited knowledge regarding obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis and management. Many are unaware of OSA
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Sleep Medicine
- General Practice Education
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition with significant health implications.
- Physician knowledge is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management of OSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the awareness and understanding of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among general physicians.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding OSA diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- A self-administered questionnaire assessing OSA knowledge was distributed to 160 general physicians.
- Data from 120 returned questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software.
Main Results:
- Only 41% of physicians had read about OSA, and 36% had suspected it in practice.
- Awareness of OSA symptoms was high (61-77%), but recognition of its link to hypertension was low (55%).
- Many physicians were unaware OSA affects non-obese individuals, women, and children, and few recognized diagnostic limitations.
Conclusions:
- General physicians demonstrate significant knowledge deficits concerning obstructive sleep apnea.
- Educational interventions are needed to improve physician awareness and management of OSA.