Knowledge and attitude of primary health care physicians regarding obstructive sleep apnea in al-hasa district of saudi arabia

Background: Early detection and treatment of Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can reduce its complications. However, although OSA is common, most of the affected patients are not diagnosed. Primary Health Care Physicians (PHCPs) play a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of OSA.
Method: It was a cross sectional survey conducted in Al Hasa district of Saudi Arabia .All physicians working in primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Al-Hasa district were asked to fill the obstructive sleep apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire.
Results: A total of 189 Primary Health Care physicians participated in the study with response rate of 95%.The median knowledge score was 10 out of 18. Based on median, the results suggest that approximately 52% of participants had poor knowledge. Almost 60% knew about OSA association with hypertension. Only 33% knew that Less than 5 apneas or hypopneas per hour is normal in adults, and only 23% knew that it is associated with cardiac arrhythmia.
Conclusion: The majority of Al-Hasa PHCPs have insufficient knowledge toward Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).