Assessment of Awareness and Knowledge Levels Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Turkish Population

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and knowledge levels of the Turkish population regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Materials and Methods: A 19-question online questionnaire was administered via Google Forms. The first 7 questions collected demographic data (e.g., gender, age, education), while the remaining 12 assessed OSA knowledge. The data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact tests, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 1,032 individuals completed the survey (56% female, 44% male). Of these, 50.9% were single and 46.7% married. Education levels varied, with 63.7% university graduates and 7.1% holding postgraduate degrees. While 58.7% had heard of OSA, significant knowledge gaps were evident. Associations were first examined using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of OSA awareness. Significant associations were found between OSA awareness and several demographic variables, particularly gender, age group, and education level (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Public awareness and knowledge of OSA in Türkiye remain low. Medical education should be enhanced with additional training and curriculum time on sleep disorders. Public awareness should also be promoted through campaigns, seminars, and accessible educational materials to support early diagnosis and prevention of OSA-related complications.

Keywords

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• sleep; population
• Turkiye

Türk Toplumunda Obstrüktif Uyku Apnesine İlişkin Farkındalık ve Bilgi Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türk toplumunda Obstrüktif Uyku Apnesi’ne (OSA) ilişkin farkındalık ve bilgi düzeylerini değerlendirmektir. Materyal ve Metot: Google Forms aracılığıyla 19 sorudan oluşan çevrimiçi bir anket uygulanmıştır. İlk 7 soru demografik verileri (cinsiyet, yaş, eğitim düzeyi vb.) toplarken, kalan 12 soru OSA hakkında bilgi düzeyini değerlendirmiştir. Veriler Pearson Ki-Kare ve Fisher’s Exact testleri kullanılarak analiz edilmiş, p<0.05 değeri istatistiksel olarak anlamlı kabul edilmiştir. Bulgular: Toplam 1.032 birey ankete katılmıştır (%56 kadın, %44 erkek). Katılımcıların %50,9’u bekar, %46,7’si evlidir. Eğitim düzeyleri incelendiğinde, %63,7’sinin üniversite mezunu, %7,1’inin ise lisansüstü eğitim aldığı belirlenmiştir. Katılımcıların %58,7’si OSA hakkında daha önce bilgi sahibi olduğunu belirtmiş, ancak genel bilgi düzeylerinde belirgin eksiklikler saptanmıştır. OSA farkındalığı ile cinsiyet, yaş grubu ve eğitim düzeyi gibi çeşitli demografik değişkenler arasında anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Sonuç: Türkiye’de toplumun OSA konusundaki farkındalık ve bilgi düzeyleri yetersizdir. Tıp eğitimi müfredatına uyku bozukluklarıyla ilgili daha fazla içerik ve uygulama süresi eklenmelidir. Ayrıca erken tanı ve OSA’ya bağlı komplikasyonların önlenmesini desteklemek amacıyla, toplum farkındalığının artırılmasına yönelik kampanyalar, seminerler ve erişilebilir eğitim materyalleriyle halk eğitimi desteklenmelidir.

Keywords

• Obstrüktif uyku apnesi
• toplum
• Türkiye
• uyku

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