Abstract
Background: Sleeve gastrectomy is a widely used intervention for obesity, a major global and national concern. However, public awareness and surveillance remain limited, especially in Saudi Arabia. Aim: To determine the knowledge and awareness of indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy in Saudi adults. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured and self-administered online questionnaire which is based on prior literature between July and December 2024. The questionnaire had 26 questions and was in either Arabic or English and was based on sociodemographic information, awareness of obesity, body mass index and sleeve gastrectomy. Results: A total of 809 adults participated, with a mean age of 29.9 years; most were female (68.5%), Saudi nationals (93.1%), and had education beyond high school (78.7%). Notably, 83.7% knew someone who had undergone sleeve gastrectomy, mainly a family member (62.3%). Although 98.9% were aware of the procedure, only 63% recognized potential complications, including hemorrhage (44.7%) and iron deficiency (43.5%). Shockingly, 34.7% were unsure of complications, indicating education gaps. Knowledge levels correlated significantly with demographic factors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although there is high awareness of sleeve gastrectomy, there is limited knowledge about its dangers and signs. The dependency of social media reflects the necessity of the effective educational interventions to resolve misconceptions and enhance health literacy. To facilitate informed decision-making and to have a positive influence on the obesity management, it is possible to enhance education strategies.
Keywords: Awareness, knowledge, weight loss, obesity, bariatric surgery.n
1. BACKGROUND
Obesity is a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater, which may affect individuals of any age group and at any stage of life (1). Overweight and obesity are health issues characterized by inappropriate or excessive fat build-up, which poses potential health risks (2). In 1990, sleeve gastrectomy was initially described as a component of the duodenal switch operation, which involved creating a tiny stomach tube along the minor curve of the stomach (3).
Obesity is one of the main global health concerns in the 21st century. Over 650 million people, or 13% of the world's population, suffered from obesity in 2016, according to numbers from the World Health Organization (4). Surgery is required for weight loss in obese individuals with a BMI > 40 kg/m2, as lifestyle-based therapy is not likely to be effective in this population (5). The frequency of postoperative complications varies between 4.4% and 12.8%, even though studies have shown various issues associated with sleeve gastrectomy (6).
This cross-sectional study aimed to measure awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Conducted by Khalid Bin Abdulrahman et al. and published in 2023. A study surveyed 1,700 people and found that women were more likely to participate than men (67.4% vs. 23.6%). The majority of participants, 64.0%, held a bachelor's degree. While over 43% of participants were familiar with sleeve gastrectomy complications, a significant proportion, 33.1%, were unaware of this risk (7). In western Saudi Arabia, an observational cross-sectional study was conducted by Alzahrani et al. and published in 2021. The study aimed to assess patient awareness of the indications for and complications of sleeve gastrectomy; it found that the participants who were aware of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy before undergoing the procedure were 70.5% and 68.2%, respectively. Female patients were significantly more aware of the indications and complications. Patients with a master’s degree and above had more awareness regarding the indications for SG before surgery than others (1). In 2021, a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted by Alolayan et al. aimed to assess awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy in the general public in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. The study showed that the general public demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding the indications of sleeve gastrectomy, but their understanding of complications was better at 49% and 82.4%, respectively (8).
Over 35% of Saudi Arabia's population suffers from obesity (9). Obesity is a major health condition that significantly increases the risk of several disorders (10). As obesity has become more prevalent worldwide, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has emerged as one of the most successful long-term obesity control techniques (11). However, this treatment increases the risk of postoperative complications ( 12). Significant research does not exist in Saudi Arabia regarding the knowledge of the population about the symptoms and the potential complications of sleeve gastrectomy. It is crucial to assess the general understanding of this information by the population because it might indicate the existing gaps in knowledge and initiate a change to better educate patients and encourage them to make informed decisions.
2. OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of our study is to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness among adults in Saudi Arabia regarding the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy.
3. MATERIAL AND METHODS
Study Design and Setting
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2024 and December 2024. Data were collected using a newly developed questionnaire based on previous studies, which was distributed through social media platforms to reach a diverse sample across the country. This study included adults in Saudi Arabia aged 18 years and older, regardless of sex.
Sample size
The sample size was estimated using the Qualtrics calculator and a 95% degree of confidence. So, the minimum sample size was 385. The Sample size was estimated using this formula: n = P (1-P) * Zα 2 / d 2 with a confidence level of 95%. n: Calculated sample size.
Z: The z-value for the selected level of confidence (1- a) = 1.96 P: An estimated knowledge Q: (1 – 0.50) = 50%, i.e., 0.50D: The maximum acceptable error = 0.05. Therefore, the calculated minimum sample size was (1.96)2 × 0.50 × 0.50/ (0.05) 2 = 385.
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Males and females residing in Saudi Arabia aged 18 years or older who agreed to participate met the study's inclusion criteria. Participants who were under =18 years old, did not reside in Saudi Arabia, or did not complete the questionnaire were excluded.
Method for data collection, instrument, and score system
A structured, self-administered online questionnaire in English and Arabic was used as the study tool. This tool was developed after an extensive literature review based on previous studies conducted in Saudi Arabia (13, 14). The final form of the questionnaire included 26 questions divided into four main sections. The first section included sociodemographic background questions such as age, sex, and educational level. The second part evaluated general knowledge of obesity, BMI, and sleeve gastrectomy in the study population. The third and fourth sections assessed the general population's knowledge and awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy.
Scoring system
A total of 38 statements assessed knowledge and awareness of sleeve gastrectomy among Saudis: 15 for socio-demographics and 23 for knowledge and awareness. A Likert scale was used for the scoring. The score ranged from 0 to 22 and divided participants into three levels based on the original Bloom's cutoff points: 80%–100% for high level, 60%–79% for moderate level, and 59% or below for low level. Scores of 18 or more were classified as high, scores ranging from 13 to 17 were categorized as moderate, and scores of 12 or less were considered low, in terms of levels of knowledge and awareness. The score was calculated as follows: one point “1” was given for correct answers, while incorrect answers or "I don’t know" responses were given zero points “0.”
Pilot test
A pilot study was conducted to assess the clarity and feasibility of the questionnaire. Twenty individuals completed the study; their data were excluded. The pilot test ensured that the questionnaire was clear, valid, and suitable for the target population, thus enhancing data quality and reliability. The purpose of the pilot test was to evaluate the feasibility and validity of the research instrument and not to contribute to the main study’s findings.
Statistical analysis
The data were collected, reviewed, and entered into a computer using Microsoft Office Excel (2016) for Windows. The data were then transmitted to IBM version 25 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program for statistical analysis.
4. RESULTS
Table 1 displays the demographic parameters of the participants, with a total of (809). The participants had a mean age of 29.9 years and a standard deviation of 12.5, with a youthful population representing 26.8% who are 24 to 35 years and 25.6% above 35 years. Figure 1 provides insights from the data presented here, showing the distribution of body mass index (BMI) in the total sample population of 809 individuals.
Table (1): Sociodemographic characteristics of participants (n=809).
| Parameter | No. | Percent (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (Mean:29.9, STD:12.5) |
21 or less | 196 | 24.2 |
| 22 to 23 | 189 | 23.4 | |
| 24 to 35 | 217 | 26.8 | |
| More than 35 | 207 | 25.6 | |
| Sex | Female | 554 | 68.5 |
| Male | 255 | 31.5 | |
| Nationality | Saudi | 753 | 93.1 |
| Non-Saudi | 56 | 6.9 | |
| Region of residence | Northern region | 34 | 4.2 |
| Southern region | 135 | 16.7 | |
| Central region | 245 | 30.3 | |
| Eastern region | 196 | 24.2 | |
| Western region | 199 | 24.6 | |
| Marital status | Single | 539 | 66.6 |
| Married | 231 | 28.6 | |
| Divorced | 26 | 3.2 | |
| Widowed | 13 | 1.6 | |
| Occupational status | Student | 374 | 46.2 |
| Employed | 249 | 30.8 | |
| Unemployed | 105 | 13.0 | |
| Freelancer | 22 | 2.7 | |
| Retired | 59 | 7.3 | |
| Educational level | Primary school | 6 | .7 |
| Middle school | 12 | 1.5 | |
| High school | 176 | 21.8 | |
| Diploma | 86 | 10.6 | |
| Bachelor’s degree | 495 | 61.2 | |
| Postgraduate degree | 29 | 3.6 | |
| Uneducated | 5 | .6 | |
| Monthly income in SAR | Less than 1000 | 293 | 36.2 |
| 1000 to 5000 | 193 | 23.9 | |
| 5001 to 10000 | 150 | 18.5 | |
| 10001 to 15000 | 93 | 11.5 | |
| More than 15000 | 80 | 9.9 | |
| Weight in kg (Mean:67.9, STD:19.3) |
Less than 55 kg | 197 | 24.4 |
| 55 to 64 kg | 207 | 25.6 | |
| 65 to 79 kg | 212 | 26.2 | |
| 80 kg or more | 193 | 23.9 | |
| Height in cm (Mean:163.4, STD:9.5) |
155 cm or less | 174 | 21.5 |
| 156 to 162 cm | 247 | 30.5 | |
| 163 to 170 cm | 208 | 25.7 | |
| More than 170 cm | 180 | 22.2 | |
Figure (1): Illustrates the BMI range of obese people among participants.
As shown in Table 2, these data represent insightful parameters regarding the experiences of people currently associated with sleeve gastrectomy. In Figure 2, the survey results from a total sample of 809 individuals revealed significant insights into the perspective on sleeve gastrectomy as a first-line intervention for weight loss.
Table (2): Parameters related to the history of sleeve gastrectomy (n=809).
| Parameter | No. | (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do you know someone who had sleeve gastrectomy? |
No | 132 | 16.3 |
| Yes | 677 | 83.7 | |
| Who is he/she? (n=677) | Relatives | 422 | 62.3 |
| Friends | 141 | 20.8 | |
| Co-worker | 42 | 6.2 | |
| Other | 72 | 10.6 | |
| Did he/she lose weight? (n=677) | No | 24 | 3.5 |
| Yes | 622 | 91.9 | |
| I don’t know | 31 | 4.6 | |
| How many kilograms did he/she lose? (n=677) | 1 to 5 kg | 2 | 0.3 |
| 6 to 10 kg | 40 | 5.9 | |
| 11 to 15 kg | 71 | 10.5 | |
| 16 to 20 kg | 98 | 14.5 | |
| More than 20 kg | 276 | 40.8 | |
| I don’t know | 190 | 28.1 | |
| Does he/she have any complications after the surgery? (n=677) | No | 288 | 42.5 |
| Yes | 154 | 22.7 | |
| I don’t know | 235 | 34.7 | |
Figure (2): Illustrates if sleeve gastrectomy is the first line to lose weight among participants.
Supplementary Table 1 summarizes the knowledge and perceptions of 809 participants about sleeve gastrectomy or related concepts, especially body mass index (BMI) and weight loss techniques. Supplementary Table 2 shows the data regarding the knowledge and awareness levels of 809 participants about sleeve gastrectomy surgery and its indications and complications. Supplementary Table 3 summarizes the data on the participants’ knowledge and awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy. Supplementary Table 4 shows that knowledge and awareness level about sleeve gastrectomy had a statistically significant relationship with sex (p = 0.042), age (p = 0.001), nationality (p = 0.037), marital status (p = 0.041), occupational status (p = 0.002), and educational level (p = 0.0001).
Table (3): Participants’ knowledge about some general concepts related to sleeve gastrectomy (n=809). *Results may overlap.
| Parameter | No. | (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Have you heard about the body mass index (BMI)? | No | 162 | 20.0 |
| Yes | 595 | 73.5 | |
| I don't know | 52 | 6.4 | |
| What is the BMI range that we can say this person is obese? | 30 and above | 398 | 49.2 |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | 172 | 21.3 | |
| 18.5 –24.9 | 40 | 4.9 | |
| Under 18.5 | 5 | .6 | |
| I don't know | 194 | 24.0 | |
| Have you heard about sleeve gastrectomy surgery? | No | 9 | 1.1 |
| Yes | 800 | 98.9 | |
| If yes, what is your source of information? (n=800) * | Social media | 527 | 65.9 |
| Internet | 374 | 46.8 | |
| Books | 138 | 17.3 | |
| Doctors or bariatric surgeons | 312 | 39.0 | |
| A person you know underwent a sleeve gastrectomy. | 440 | 55.0 | |
| Family, relatives or friends | 423 | 52.9 | |
| Do you think sleeve gastrectomy is the first line to lose weight? | No | 755 | 93.3 |
| Yes | 54 | 6.7 | |
| If no, what is the best way to lose weight for an obese
person? (n=755) * (choose up to 3) |
Exercise | 640 | 84.8 |
| Fasting | 349 | 46.2 | |
| Low calories diet | 631 | 83.6 | |
| I don't know | 19 | 2.5 | |
| Do you know about the indications of sleeve gastrectomy surgery? | No | 262 | 32.4 |
| Yes | 547 | 67.6 | |
| What are the indications of sleeve gastrectomy surgery? (choose up to 3) * |
Adults with a BMI of more than 40kg/m2 | 446 | 55.1 |
| Adults with a BMI of more than 35 kg/m2 and severe co-morbidities | 421 | 52.0 | |
| Adults with a BMI>30 kg/m2, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, and increased cardiovascular risk. | 394 | 48.7 | |
| Adults with a BMI from 18.5-24.9 | 26 | 3.2 | |
| Adults with a BMI of 18.5 | 8 | 0.9 | |
| Adulta with a BMI of less than 18.5 | 8 | 0.9 | |
| For cosmetics | 30 | 3.7 | |
| I don't know | 176 | 21.8 | |
Table (4): Participants’ knowledge and awareness level about the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy surgery (n=809).
| Parameter | No. | (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do you know about the complications of sleeve gastrectomy surgery? | No | 299 | 37.0 |
| Yes | 510 | 63.0 | |
| Which one of these are considered as a serious complication of sleeve gastrectomy surgery? * | Hemorrhage | 362 | 44.7 |
| Anemia | 328 | 40.5 | |
| Iron deficiency | 352 | 43.5 | |
| Abscess | 144 | 17.8 | |
| Neuropathies | 156 | 19.3 | |
| Weight regains | 253 | 31.3 | |
| Leak of gastric content | 308 | 38.1 | |
| Other nutritional and mineral deficiency | 323 | 39.9 | |
| Pulmonary emboli | 148 | 18.3 | |
| Twist of stomach | 171 | 21.1 | |
| I don't know | 138 | 17.1 | |
| Which one of these are considered as a chronic
complication of sleeve gastrectomy? * (choose up to 5 selection) |
Hemorrhage | 124 | 15.3 |
| Anemia | 365 | 45.1 | |
| Iron deficiency | 385 | 47.6 | |
| Abscess | 70 | 8.7 | |
| Neuropathies | 182 | 22.5 | |
| Weight regains | 286 | 35.4 | |
| Leak of gastric content | 167 | 20.6 | |
| Other nutritional and mineral deficiency | 323 | 39.9 | |
| Pulmonary emboli | 95 | 11.7 | |
| Twist of stomach | 80 | 9.9 | |
| I don't know | 195 | 24.1 | |
5. DISCUSSION
Obesity is a global public health issue that severely affects daily life and is a key cofactor in various chronic diseases. Genetic predispositions and individual behaviours have been emphasized in the emergence of obesity (15). Obesity is a critical global health issue because of its close association with widespread health problems, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and many other conditions (16). With rising obesity rates, there are worrisome trends in both developed and developing countries (17). In 2016, an estimated 13% of the adult world’s population, or 11% of men and 15% of women, were currently facing obesity challenges. However, the incidence of obesity in both sexes has increased recently, particularly in Saudi Arabia. There are a variety of surgical options in the field of bariatric surgery, with sleeve gastrectomy being the most common (18). Nevertheless, it is important to realize that sleeve gastrectomy, like all other procedures, may result in complications, some of which can be fatal. Postoperative complications vary, ranging from major complications such as hemorrhage and leakage to other complications such as surgical site infections, abscesses, and nutritional deficiencies (19). Limited research has been conducted on awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy among adults in Saudi Arabia.
Our study on the awareness of sleeve gastrectomy indications and complications among adults in Saudi Arabia reveals significant insights that can be contextualized with previous research findings. Our survey shows that nearly 83.7% of respondents have someone in their family who has undergone sleeve gastrectomy, a striking example of its widespread use and prevalence, especially in family contexts (62.3%). The results reported here overlap with those of Alzahrani et al. (1), who found that many participants were familiar with sleeve gastrectomy indications yet were oblivious to major complications, such as stomach content leakage. Our study found that 91.9% of study participants equated the procedure with successful weight loss and such positive anecdotal outcomes, as in Taha et al.'s (20) and Al Watban et al.'s (13) studies showing a general acknowledgment that weight loss benefits can be achieved. Notably, despite having positive perceptions, our results indicated that 22.7 percent of the respondents experienced complications, as also found by Almontashri et al. (21), who reported a high awareness of complications and some knowledge gaps among the population. We found that 63 percent of respondents were aware of the possible risk complications, with hemorrhage (44.7), iron deficiency (43.5), and anemia (40.5) being the most commonly recognized. This is in contrast to the findings of Taha et al. (20), reporting that 81% were aware of complications. However, like a knowledge gap about conditions like anemia and nutritional deficiencies, the community also had apparent knowledge regarding issues surrounding PMTCT. Furthermore, our study showed that an alarming 34.7% of participants were not certain about possible complications, a result corroborating Alolayan et al. (8), who showed marginal awareness about what is and is not an indication for sleeve gastrectomy but significant knowledge gaps about potential adverse events. Of our participants, we found that 73.5 percent knew what BMI was. On the other hand, a troubling 25% lacked clarity over obesity classification, akin to Gowanlock et al. (22), who reported that 47% of their subjects previously lacked knowledge of the term BMI. In addition, sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, nationality, marital status, and educational level were strong determinants of knowledge levels regarding sleeve gastrectomy. This result coincides with Buhalim et al. (23), who showed that knowledge scores are higher when students are younger, female, and have higher educational attainment. Overall, there was high awareness of sleeve gastrectomy (98.9%), with social media (65.9%) and friends (55%) as the top primary sources of information; however, 80% would still choose traditional weight loss methods over surgical intervention. These results are consistent with an additional regional study that found approximately half of the participants did not know the appropriate indications for surgery, according to research by Alolayan et al. (8). The necessity of improved patient education on sleeve gastrectomy has also been re-emphasized in a number of studies that have found the need to reveal the misconception about the operation (13, 24), which confirms that there exists a gap between what the population knows and suggests the significance of health strategies in the management of obesity.
Table (5): Shows knowledge and awareness of sleeve gastrectomy indications and complications score results.
| Frequency | Percent | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| High level of knowledge and awareness | 241 | 29.8 | |
| Moderate knowledge and awareness | 282 | 34.9 | |
| Low level of knowledge and awareness | 286 | 35.4 | |
| Total | 809 | 100.0 | |
Table (6): Relation between knowledge, awareness level, and sociodemographic characteristics.
| Parameters | Knowledge and Awareness level | Total (N=809) | P value* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High or moderate knowledge and awareness | Low level of knowledge and awareness | ||||
| Sex | Female | 371 | 183 | 554 | 0.042 |
| 70.9% | 64.0% | 68.5% | |||
| Male | 152 | 103 | 255 | ||
| 29.1% | 36.0% | 31.5% | |||
| Age | 21 or less | 112 | 84 | 196 | 0.001 |
| 21.4% | 29.4% | 24.2% | |||
| 22 to 23 | 142 | 47 | 189 | ||
| 27.2% | 16.4% | 23.4% | |||
| 24 to 35 | 145 | 72 | 217 | ||
| 27.7% | 25.2% | 26.8% | |||
| More than 35 | 124 | 83 | 207 | ||
| 23.7% | 29.0% | 25.6% | |||
| Nationality | Saudi | 494 | 259 | 753 | 0.037 |
| 94.5% | 90.6% | 93.1% | |||
| Non-Saudi | 29 | 27 | 56 | ||
| 5.5% | 9.4% | 6.9% | |||
| Region of residence | Northern region | 20 | 14 | 34 | 0.263 |
| 3.8% | 4.9% | 4.2% | |||
| Southern region | 95 | 40 | 135 | ||
| 18.2% | 14.0% | 16.7% | |||
| Central region | 161 | 84 | 245 | ||
| 30.8% | 29.4% | 30.3% | |||
| Eastern region | 116 | 80 | 196 | ||
| 22.2% | 28.0% | 24.2% | |||
| Western region | 131 | 68 | 199 | ||
| 25.0% | 23.8% | 24.6% | |||
| Marital status | Single | 358 | 181 | 539 | 0.041 |
| 68.5% | 63.3% | 66.6% | |||
| Married | 143 | 88 | 231 | ||
| 27.3% | 30.8% | 28.6% | |||
| Divorced | 18 | 8 | 26 | ||
| 3.4% | 2.8% | 3.2% | |||
| Widowed | 4 | 9 | 13 | ||
| 0.8% | 3.1% | 1.6% | |||
| Occupational status | Student | 261 | 113 | 374 | 0.002 |
| 49.9% | 39.5% | 46.2% | |||
| Employed | 157 | 92 | 249 | ||
| 30.0% | 32.2% | 30.8% | |||
| Unemployed | 54 | 51 | 105 | ||
| 10.3% | 17.8% | 13.0% | |||
| Freelancer | 10 | 12 | 22 | ||
| 1.9% | 4.2% | 2.7% | |||
| Retired | 41 | 18 | 59 | ||
| 7.8% | 6.3% | 7.3% | |||
| Educational level | Primary school | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0.0001 |
| 0.0% | 2.1% | 0.7% | |||
| Middle school | 5 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 1.0% | 2.4% | 1.5% | |||
| High school | 104 | 72 | 176 | ||
| 19.9% | 25.2% | 21.8% | |||
| Diploma | 50 | 36 | 86 | ||
| 9.6% | 12.6% | 10.6% | |||
| Bachelor’s degree | 344 | 151 | 495 | ||
| 65.8% | 52.8% | 61.2% | |||
| Postgraduate degree | 18 | 11 | 29 | ||
| 3.4% | 3.8% | 3.6% | |||
| Uneducated | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||
| 0.4% | 1.0% | 0.6% | |||
| Monthly income in SAR | Less than 1000 | 183 | 110 | 293 | 0.169 |
| 35.0% | 38.5% | 36.2% | |||
| 1000 to 5000 | 129 | 64 | 193 | ||
| 24.7% | 22.4% | 23.9% | |||
| 5001 to 10000 | 98 | 52 | 150 | ||
| 18.7% | 18.2% | 18.5% | |||
| 10001 to 15000 | 68 | 25 | 93 | ||
| 13.0% | 8.7% | 11.5% | |||
| More than 15000 | 45 | 35 | 80 | ||
| 8.6% | 12.2% | 9.9% | |||
| Weight | Less than 55 kg | 133 | 64 | 197 | 0.123 |
| 25.4% | 22.4% | 24.4% | |||
| 55 to 64 kg | 133 | 74 | 207 | ||
| 25.4% | 25.9% | 25.6% | |||
| 65 to 79 kg | 124 | 88 | 212 | ||
| 23.7% | 30.8% | 26.2% | |||
| 80 kg or more | 133 | 60 | 193 | ||
| 25.4% | 21.0% | 23.9% | |||
| Height | 155 cm or less | 109 | 65 | 174 | 0.360 |
| 20.8% | 22.7% | 21.5% | |||
| 156 to 162 cm | 169 | 78 | 247 | ||
| 32.3% | 27.3% | 30.5% | |||
| 163 to 170 cm | 136 | 72 | 208 | ||
| 26.0% | 25.2% | 25.7% | |||
| More than 170 cm | 109 | 71 | 180 | ||
| 20.8% | 24.8% | 22.2% | |||
6. CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrated a huge gap among adults in Saudi Arabia regarding their awareness and knowledge of sleeve gastrectomy indications and complications. Awareness of the procedure is astonishingly high (98.9%), with large numbers aware of someone who had undergone the surgery (83.7%). However, there is concern about the level of understanding of its potential complications. Approximately 63% acknowledged that certain risks exist, and 34.7% belonged to the category of not knowing what complications can be gaps in patient education. The levels of awareness were significantly influenced by age, sex, and nationality as well as education which indicates that educational interventions may be used to enhance the level of awareness of those who are less educated. The majority of the respondents felt that they had lost weight after surgery; nevertheless, a shattering 80% of the respondents still favored non-surgical diet and exercise over surgical ones, showing that there are still misconceptions about bariatric surgery. They were also enlightened by the fact that extensive public health campaigns are crucial and that awareness and education of sleeve gastrectomy move ahead to ensure that people with obesity health issues take informed decisions.
Acknowledgments:
We thank the participants who contributed to this study.
Patient Consent Form:
Informed consent was obtained from each participant after explaining the study in full and clarifying that participation was voluntary.
Author's Contribution:
G.J., I.A., N.A., K.A and F.A. gave substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work in acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work. Y.A., R.A., N.A., A.M. and S.A. had a part in article preparing for drafting or revising it critically for important intellectual content. F.A., M.A. and W.M. gave final approval of the version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Conflicts of interest:
There are no conflicts of interest.
Financial support and sponsorship:
None.
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