Assessing the Knowledge and Awareness of Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Patient Families in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), if left untreated, can have major negative effects on health, such as an elevated risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Increasing people's knowledge of this illness might lessen the stigma associated with sleep problems and motivate them to get treatment if they think they might have OSA.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of OSA among patients' families in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A phenomenological-oriented study with in-depth interviews was used to collect data from 28 participants.

RESULTS

Two themes and subthemes emerged from the interviews, revealing significant knowledge gaps, especially regarding the health risks and management of OSA. Only a few participants were aware of the serious health implications of untreated OSA. Furthermore, many did not know about effective management strategies for OSA.

CONCLUSION

The level of awareness and knowledge among participants was poor, with participants' lifestyles significantly affected by having relatives with OSA. They expressed concerns about challenges with CPAP adherence and recommended various coping techniques to support affected individuals.