Public knoweldge of sepsis in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of the body's response to an infection that can result in the malfunction of organs and tissues. The majority of sepsis cases are managed in the community. This study aimed to evaluate the general public's awareness of sepsis in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey was undertaken between November 2023 and June 2024 in Saudi Arabia to investigate public knowledge of sepsis in Saudi Arabia. A previously developed questionnaire was used in this study. Binary logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the variables that influence sepsis awareness. A total of 1010 participants were involved in this study. The median knowledge score the study participants was 4.00 (IQR: 2.00-7.00); which demonstrates weak level of knowledge. Individuals aged 61 years and over had significantly lower odds of having higher sepsis knowledge compared to younger adults aged 18 to 23 years (OR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.14-0.79, P = .012). Participants holding a diploma (OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.87, P = .017) showed lower odds compared to those with a high school education or lower. Married (OR = 2.14; 95% CI 1.51-3.01, P < .001) and divorced individuals (OR = 2.82; 95% CI 1.83-4.35, P < .001) demonstrated higher odds of possessing greater sepsis knowledge compared to single individuals. Participants earning 2500 to 5000 Saudi Riyal (SAR) (OR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.22-3.44, P = .006) and 7500 SAR and above (OR = 1.63; 95% CI 1.11-2.41, P = .013) showed higher odds compared to those earning <2500 SAR. Employment in the healthcare sector (OR = 4.13; 95% CI 2.41-7.06, P < .001) and being a medical student (OR = 4.99; 95% CI 1.09-22.90, P = .039) were also associated with significantly higher odds of having greater sepsis knowledge. Sepsis, its symptoms, and its risk factors are not well understood by the general public, according to our research. These findings emphasize the necessity for sepsis education to raise public awareness. Awareness can help people with this life-threatening disorder get diagnosed earlier and have favorable outcomes.