The role of bed partners in recognizing obstructive sleep apnoea: A cross-sectional analysis from Eastern Saudi Arabia

• Author Details:   
• Swathi Gurajala ^*
• Rawan Khalid Alzowayed
• Alya T Ashoor
• Maha Ibrahim AL Zahrani
• Ghuiudh Abdulrahman AL Qahtani
• Sufana Mohammed Ahmed Alsafad
• Gayathri Panduranagam
• Shoug Yousef Al Humoud
• Sally Yusef Abdulrahman Abed

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Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common yet frequently underdiagnosed disorder with substantial health consequences. Bed partners often play a critical role in the early recognition of OSA symptoms, such as loud snoring, gasping, and observed apnoeic episodes. Enhancing their awareness may facilitate timely diagnosis and management.
Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of bed partners regarding OSA, including awareness of symptoms, risk factors, management strategies, long-term health consequences, and the impact on personal relationships.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire distributed to bed partners across Saudi Arabia. The survey evaluated participants’ knowledge and perceptions of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and one-way ANOVA was applied to examine associations between knowledge scores and sociodemographic variables.
Results: A total of 600 responses were collected through convenience sampling. Among respondents, 331 (55%) demonstrated a high level of knowledge about OSA. Significant associations were found between awareness levels and both educational attainment and age. Categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were summarized using means and standard deviations.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of targeted educational interventions to improve partner awareness of OSA. Increased knowledge among partners can contribute to earlier diagnosis and more effective management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and relationship dynamics.

Keywords:  Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), Partner awareness, Knowledge assessment, OSA symptoms, Risk factors, Educational interventions, Cross-sectional study, Sleep disorders, Public health awareness, Early diagnosis.