Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete blockage of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in a drop in blood oxygen saturation and impaired breathing. If left untreated, it can result in poor quality of life. The main objective of this study is to determine the level of knowledge and awareness of parents in Saudi Arabia about obstructive sleep apnea in children. During 2023, a cross-sectional study based on a validated online survey was distributed to parents in Saudi Arabia. The sample size for this study was calculated using the Qualtrics tool for children between the ages of 0 and 14 who fall within the pediatric age range. The questionnaire for the survey tool was designed to be self-completed. There is a significant prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in children, with 60.8% of respondents reporting episodes of recurrent sleep apnea. Additionally, it appears that a majority of individuals 41.3% became aware of the problem of obstructive sleep apnea in children through the internet and social networking sites. Gender shows a significant difference in knowledge levels, with a p-value of 0.001. The overall score shows that 42.4% exhibited a high knowledge degree, 39.4% exhibited a moderate knowledge degree, and 18.1% exhibited a low knowledge degree. In conclusion, the knowledge of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea among parents in Saudi Arabia according to our study is good, which has implications for the management and treatment of this condition.
