Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the knowledge levels and attitudes of Turkish medical faculty students regarding obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

METHODS: A total of 94 students (58 males, 36 females; mean age 21.6±1.9 years; range, 19 to 33 years) were included in this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted between July 2018 and December 2018. All participants were asked to fill the obstructive sleep apnea knowledge and attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire. Participants were divided into three groups according to their years at the medical faculty and the responses of these groups to OSAKA questionnaire were compared.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the mean total knowledge scores (p=0.057). The mean total importance score was 6.4±1.5, whereas the mean total confidence score was 8.9±1.8 and the mean total attitude score was 14.4±2.4. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of total importance score, total confidence score, and total attitude score (all p values >0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between total attitude score and total knowledge score (r=0.156, p=0.134).

CONCLUSION: Although the level of knowledge of Turkish medical students regarding OSAS is relatively better than the previous studies, it is not at the expected level.