Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Obstructive Sleep Apnea in China: A Structural Equation Modeling Study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior Research
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Self-management is critical for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment.
• Public awareness and understanding of OSA in China are not well-established.
• Investigating knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is vital for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among Chinese adults.
• To examine the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning OSA.
• To inform targeted public health interventions for OSA management in China.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1,145 Chinese adults was conducted from October 2022 to October 2023.
• Data were collected via questionnaires based on a knowledge-attitude-practice conceptual framework.
• Statistical analyses, including correlation and structural equation modeling, were employed.

Main Results:

• Out of 1,145 questionnaires, 850 valid responses were analyzed (74.76% response rate).
• Positive associations were found between knowledge, attitudes, and practices (all P < 0.001).
• Education positively influenced knowledge; knowledge directly impacted attitudes and practices; attitudes strongly predicted practices.

Conclusions:

• Chinese adults exhibit limited knowledge but generally positive attitudes and moderate practices regarding OSA.
• Enhancing public knowledge about OSA is essential to improve attitudes and practices.
• Public awareness campaigns are recommended to promote better health-related behaviors for OSA self-management.