Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Primary Healthcare Physicians in the

Mohammed A Alghamdi¹, Rajab Alzahrani¹, Mujtaba A Ali¹

¹Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, SAU.

|February 1, 2024

Abstract

Introduction:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinically significant disorder that requires attention from healthcare professionals. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude of primary healthcare physicians regarding OSA in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional observational study design was employed from January 18, 2023, to August 18, 2023, focusing on primary healthcare physicians practicing in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia. The survey included questions related to knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward OSA, using the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitude (OSAKA) questionnaire for OSA, and demographic information. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data.

Results:

A total sample size of 174 primary health care physicians was collected, where the majority of participants were male (101, 58.0%), and the mean age of the participants was 32.73 years (SD = 9.14). The item with the most correct answers was "The majority of patients with obstructive sleep apnea snore" (150, 86.2%). On the other hand, the item with the lowest number of correct answers was "Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty is an appropriate treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea" (17, 9.8%). The majority of participants agreed that it is essential for physicians to know about OSA as a clinical disorder (161, 92.5%). However, when it came to screening all patients for possible OSA, there was a higher proportion of participants who disagreed or strongly disagreed (111, 63.8%). In general, the majority of participants had a low level of knowledge (109, 62.6%). Gender was significantly associated with both knowledge (p = 0.021) and awareness (p = 0.039), as well as nationality (knowledge (p = 0.012) and awareness (p = 0.039)), and specialty training, which was significantly associated with both knowledge (p = 0.000) and awareness (p = 0.002).

Conclusion:

Although all participants acknowledged that OSA is a clinical disease, their perspectives on screening and levels of confidence in utilizing screening techniques varied. While the participants exhibited commendable understanding in the majority of domains, there were some facets of OSA in which they lacked expertise.

Keywords:

attitudes and practices healthcare workers (hcw)healthcare workers awareness nocturnal snoring obstructive sleep apnea (osa)primary healthcare physicians

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach

Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach

Published on: October 18, 2024

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...

Primary Healthcare Services

Primary Healthcare Services

Primary care promotes wellness and prevents disease. This care includes health promotion, education, protection (such as immunizations), early disease screening, and environmental considerations. Settings providing this type of healthcare include physician offices, public health clinics, school nursing, and community health nursing.
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract is critical to patient care. It allows healthcare professionals to identify and manage various respiratory conditions. The process involves a combination of subjective and objective data collection.
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and...

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.

Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications

Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications

Respiratory assessment is a cornerstone of nursing assessments, crucial for the early detection of patient deterioration. This evaluation transcends routine procedures, representing a critical skill nurses must master to ensure optimal patient care.
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Nationwide Occurrence and Exposure Assessment of PFAS in Australian Tap Drinking Water Using a Citizen Science Sampling Approach.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)·2026

Riyadh-Peds-ComPASS: Development and Validation of a Pediatric Complexity and Palliative Triage Tool.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2026

Child, Caregiver, and Nurse Symptom Reports in Oncology: Evidence for Prioritizing the Child's Voice.

Journal of pain and symptom management·2026

Awareness, attitudes, and self-reported clinical management of antimicrobial-associated neurocognitive adverse effects among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2026

The PFAS roadmap-Navigating a path together to improved management.

Sustainability science and technology·2026

Knowledge-practice gap in cardiovascular vital sign assessment and its influence on clinical decision-making among outpatient physical therapists in Saudi Arabia: A national cross-sectional study.

Medicine·2026

See all related articles