Public knowledge and awareness of obstructive sleep apnea in Saudi Arabia: A population-based study of over 16,000 adults

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common yet underdiagnosed sleep-related breathing disorder with significant health implications. Despite its clinical relevance, data on population-level knowledge of OSA in Saudi Arabia remain limited. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 28th, 2023, and October 18th, 2024, to assess the level of public knowledge and awareness about OSA among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Results A total of 16,662 participants completed the survey, with a mean age of 31 years. Obesity (15.8%) was the most commonly self-reported health condition. Most respondents rated their sleep quality as good (36.2%) or acceptable (28.9%), while only 7.5% reported consistent physical activity. Overall, only 12.9% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of OSA. Males were more likely to have good knowledge than females (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07–1.33, p = 0.001). Residents of the Northern region had significantly higher awareness compared to those in the Central region (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.18–1.64, p < 0.001). Lower educational attainment was associated with reduced awareness: diploma holders (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.50–0.68, p < 0.001) and primary/ intermediate education (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.47–0.80, p < 0.001). Former smokers were more knowledgeable than current smokers (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.69–2.44, p < 0.001). Participants with obesity had significantly higher odds of good knowledge compared to those with normal BMI (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.27–1.88, p < 0.001). Conclusion Public knowledge about OSA in Saudi Arabia is considerably low, with awareness varying significantly by gender, region, education level, smoking status, and BMI. Targeted public health initiatives are essential to enhance understanding, promote early detection, and improve management of OSA across the population.