Knowledge, attitude, and practice of bariatric surgery among adult Saudi community, Saudi Arabia, 2019

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in developed countries than in developing countries of all ages (data from 2013). This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitudes of people in Saudi Arabia toward bariatric surgery. To do this, the specific objectives sought to determine the satisfaction of people who underwent bariatric surgery and to determine the importance of bariatric surgery among the community. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional, community-based study conducted among the Saudi adult population. The final sample size was 891 respondents from different regions of Saudi Arabia. Data collection was through online questionnaires that consisted of 26 questions to assess the perceived knowledge and attitudes toward obesity and bariatric surgery adopted from Abouhamda (2016). Results: More than 70% of the study participants were aged between 18 and 25 years. There were more males than there were females 76.0% versus 24.0%, while most of the respondents were living single. The proportion of respondents across listed regions of Saudi Arabia significantly varied at a 5% level ( P = 0.000). Sixty percent of the study respondents were within the normal weight range (BMI 18.5–25), 9% were marked as obese (BMI >30). Age group was not significantly associated with knowledge of quantization and perceived the knowledge that quantization can cause death ( P > 0.05 in both cases ). Conclusion: The knowledge about obesity in Saudi Arabia is generally good and most Saudis would rather take the approach of proper diet as opposed to surgery, with the bigger percentage being in the normal range (BMI 18.5–25).

Data Analysis and Computational Methods for Assessing Knowledge of Obesity Risk Factors among Saudi Citizens

“…The findings of this study are that there is widespread knowledge of risk factors for obesity among citizens in Saudi Arabia; it agrees with [ 20 ]. The participants' knowledge of obesity risk factors was generally high (95.5%).…”

Knowledge and Attitude toward Bariatric Surgery among Family Physicians in Cluster 2, Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

“…The findings of the study reveal that a high majority of the enrolled family medicine physicians knew that diabetes mellitus can be controlled through bariatric surgery, ideal weight loss can be achieved through bariatric surgery, and surgical treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases is safe and reliable, they would recommend bariatric surgery to a family member or a friend with class III obesity. These findings are referred to the increasing and successful cases in Saudi Arabia and positive outcomes demonstrated by the positive perception that are reported in different studies, such as Alghutayghit et al [23] and Alfadhel et al [24] who reported an increased in-public and healthcare workers' perceptions towards bariatric surgeries.…”

Prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for obesity in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review

“…A total of 3131 people were surveyed or interviewed, of which 64% were women. Across three studies, 26% of respondents thought that bariatric surgery was primarily a cosmetic procedure 88,91,92 . In the largest cohort, 40% said they would not want bariatric surgery, although the mean BMI in this cohort was only 28 kg/m 2 88 .…”

“…Five cross‐sectional studies were identified looking at public perceptions of obesity and bariatric surgery in SA 88–92 . A total of 3131 people were surveyed or interviewed, of which 64% were women.…”

“…Across three studies, 26% of respondents thought that bariatric surgery was primarily a cosmetic procedure. 88,91,92 In the largest cohort, 40% said they would not want bariatric surgery, although the mean BMI in this cohort was only 28 kg/m 2 . 88 This may be linked to high levels of perceived risk with these procedures.…”