Assessing Perceptions Regarding Bariatric Surgery as a Potential Treatment in Jeddah, KSA: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Bariatric surgery has emerged as a crucial intervention for obesity management, yet perceptions about its efficacy, safety, and consequences remain varied. Understanding these perceptions among obese individuals is vital for informed decision-making and effective healthcare delivery. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the perception regarding efficacy, safety, and consequences of bariatric surgery among adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, knowledge, beliefs, and available resources of public knowledge regarding bariatric surgery. Convenience sampling was employed, and data was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: 226 respondents who qualified for our study criteria were surveyed. Of these, 7.52% had undergone bariatric surgery. 56.63% viewed it as a quick solution to obesity. As many as 78.76% had tried other kinds of weight loss alternatives. In the study, the education level of participants, family history of obesity, and marital status proved to be significant predictors of attitude towards bariatric surgery. Family and friends were reported to be the main sources of bariatric surgery-related information. Conclusion: Generally, the study presents some mixed attitudes toward bariatric surgery; it shows that most of the subjects would rather have any other means of weight reduction. The level of education, family history, and BMI were very dynamic in the shaping of the subject's decision for BS as a means of weight reduction, hence the need to tailor educational efforts towards capturing misconceptions and informing the patients