PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies are crucial in appraising the occurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a specific region, establishing benchmarks, and devising effective preventive measures. It is against this background that the study aims to evaluate adult awareness of COPD and its risk factors among adults in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Qassim Region and involved consenting adults who voluntarily participated. Between 20 May and 4 June 2023, a self-administered online survey was distributed through social media platforms, utilizing an anonymous, self-explanatory questionnaire to evaluate participants\' awareness of COPD.
RESULTS: In our study, a total of 1,306 participants were enrolled, of which 27.6% (n=360) reported having ever heard of COPD. Among all respondents, 21.3% (n=278) stated that they study or work in medical-related fields, and out of them, 60.4% (n=168) had prior awareness of COPD. Upon excluding participants associated with medical-related fields, the overall awareness level decreased to 18.7%. The majority of respondents fell within the age range of 18 to 29 years, of whom 34.5% had ever heard of COPD. Regarding smoking habits, the majority were cigarette smokers (38.4%), and of all cigarette smokers, 22.4% had heard of COPD. The second highest proportion of smokers (35.8%) were electronic smokers, and among them, 24.1% were aware of COPD. The lowest proportion of smokers (25.8%) were shisha smokers, with 25.6% of them having heard of COPD. Among the 1,306 respondents, only 27.5% (n=360) had ever heard of COPD. When asked about the organ affected by COPD, 81% (n=292) of those who were aware of the condition correctly responded that it affects the lungs. On the other hand, 8.9% (n=32) incorrectly selected \"heart\" as the affected organ, while 2.5% (n=9) chose \"I don\'t know,\" and none selected \"throat.\"
CONCLUSIONS: The Qassim Region in Saudi Arabia exhibits a reduced level of COPD awareness among the general population. It is imperative to urgently address this situation and enhance awareness for improved COPD diagnosis and treatment. Considering the region\'s high prevalence of COPD and associated risk factors, it becomes vital to strengthen educational curricula and integrate COPD awareness into public forums and awareness campaigns. Moreover, conducting additional national research would be instrumental in assisting policymakers in developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.
METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Qassim Region and involved consenting adults who voluntarily participated. Between 20 May and 4 June 2023, a self-administered online survey was distributed through social media platforms, utilizing an anonymous, self-explanatory questionnaire to evaluate participants\' awareness of COPD.
RESULTS: In our study, a total of 1,306 participants were enrolled, of which 27.6% (n=360) reported having ever heard of COPD. Among all respondents, 21.3% (n=278) stated that they study or work in medical-related fields, and out of them, 60.4% (n=168) had prior awareness of COPD. Upon excluding participants associated with medical-related fields, the overall awareness level decreased to 18.7%. The majority of respondents fell within the age range of 18 to 29 years, of whom 34.5% had ever heard of COPD. Regarding smoking habits, the majority were cigarette smokers (38.4%), and of all cigarette smokers, 22.4% had heard of COPD. The second highest proportion of smokers (35.8%) were electronic smokers, and among them, 24.1% were aware of COPD. The lowest proportion of smokers (25.8%) were shisha smokers, with 25.6% of them having heard of COPD. Among the 1,306 respondents, only 27.5% (n=360) had ever heard of COPD. When asked about the organ affected by COPD, 81% (n=292) of those who were aware of the condition correctly responded that it affects the lungs. On the other hand, 8.9% (n=32) incorrectly selected \"heart\" as the affected organ, while 2.5% (n=9) chose \"I don\'t know,\" and none selected \"throat.\"
CONCLUSIONS: The Qassim Region in Saudi Arabia exhibits a reduced level of COPD awareness among the general population. It is imperative to urgently address this situation and enhance awareness for improved COPD diagnosis and treatment. Considering the region\'s high prevalence of COPD and associated risk factors, it becomes vital to strengthen educational curricula and integrate COPD awareness into public forums and awareness campaigns. Moreover, conducting additional national research would be instrumental in assisting policymakers in developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.
摘要：
背景：流行病学研究对于评估特定地区的慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）的发生至关重要。建立基准，并制定有效的预防措施。正是在这种背景下，该研究旨在评估Qassim地区成年人对COPD及其危险因素的认识，沙特阿拉伯。
方法：这项观察性横断面研究是在Qassim地区进行的，涉及自愿参加的同意的成年人。在2023年5月20日至6月4日期间，通过社交媒体平台分发了一项自我管理的在线调查，利用匿名，自我解释问卷评估参与者对COPD的认识。
结果：在我们的研究中，共有1,306名参与者报名参加,其中27.6%(n=360)报告听说过COPD。在所有受访者中，21.3%(n=278)表示他们在医学相关领域学习或工作，在他们当中，60.4%(n=168)的人以前有COPD的意识。排除与医学相关领域相关的参与者后，整体知晓率下降至18.7%。大多数受访者年龄在18至29岁之间，其中34.5%的人听说过COPD。关于吸烟习惯，大多数是吸烟者(38.4%)，在所有吸烟者中，22.4%听说过COPD。第二高比例的吸烟者(35.8%)是电子吸烟者,其中,24.1%了解COPD。烟民比例最低(25.8%)为水烟烟民,25.6%的人听说过COPD。在1,306名受访者中，只有27.5%(n=360)听说过COPD。当被问及受COPD影响的器官时，81%(n=292)知道这种情况的人正确地回答它影响了肺部。另一方面,8.9%(n=32)错误地选择“心脏”作为受影响的器官，而2.5%(n=9)选择了“我不知道，\"和没有选择\"喉咙。
结论：沙特阿拉伯的Qassim地区在普通人群中表现出COPD认知水平降低。迫切需要解决这种情况，并提高对改善COPD诊断和治疗的认识。考虑到该地区COPD的高患病率和相关危险因素，加强教育课程并将COPD意识纳入公共论坛和意识运动变得至关重要。此外，开展更多的国家研究将有助于协助决策者制定有效的预防和治疗战略。
方法：这项观察性横断面研究是在Qassim地区进行的，涉及自愿参加的同意的成年人。在2023年5月20日至6月4日期间，通过社交媒体平台分发了一项自我管理的在线调查，利用匿名，自我解释问卷评估参与者对COPD的认识。
结果：在我们的研究中，共有1,306名参与者报名参加,其中27.6%(n=360)报告听说过COPD。在所有受访者中，21.3%(n=278)表示他们在医学相关领域学习或工作，在他们当中，60.4%(n=168)的人以前有COPD的意识。排除与医学相关领域相关的参与者后，整体知晓率下降至18.7%。大多数受访者年龄在18至29岁之间，其中34.5%的人听说过COPD。关于吸烟习惯，大多数是吸烟者(38.4%)，在所有吸烟者中，22.4%听说过COPD。第二高比例的吸烟者(35.8%)是电子吸烟者,其中,24.1%了解COPD。烟民比例最低(25.8%)为水烟烟民,25.6%的人听说过COPD。在1,306名受访者中，只有27.5%(n=360)听说过COPD。当被问及受COPD影响的器官时，81%(n=292)知道这种情况的人正确地回答它影响了肺部。另一方面,8.9%(n=32)错误地选择“心脏”作为受影响的器官，而2.5%(n=9)选择了“我不知道，\"和没有选择\"喉咙。
结论：沙特阿拉伯的Qassim地区在普通人群中表现出COPD认知水平降低。迫切需要解决这种情况，并提高对改善COPD诊断和治疗的认识。考虑到该地区COPD的高患病率和相关危险因素，加强教育课程并将COPD意识纳入公共论坛和意识运动变得至关重要。此外，开展更多的国家研究将有助于协助决策者制定有效的预防和治疗战略。
