Knowledge of Surgery-Related Adverse Effects Caused by Cigarette Smoking Among the Makkah Population, Saudi Arabia

Background Smoking is a common condition that poses a huge risk to public health. It is a high-risk factor for multiple diseases and has an association with postoperative complications. Fortunately, the risk of postoperative complications can be reduced preoperatively by smoking cessation. Previous studies emphasize the lack of knowledge regarding surgery-related adverse effects caused by cigarette smoking among the general population. In this study, we aim to evaluate the level of knowledge about surgery-related adverse effects of cigarette smoking in the Makkah region. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study using an online validated questionnaire was carried out to assess the level of knowledge about the surgery-related adverse effects of smoking. between the 8th of March 2024 and the 8th of April 2024. The questionnaire was distributed among adults in the Makkah region. Results In this study, 404 out of 447 participants were included. Of the participants, 206 (51%) were females, and 198 (49%) were males. Regarding smoking, 343 participants were non-smokers (84.9%), and the majority, 378 (93.6%) in total, possessed knowledge about smoking-related surgical adverse effects. A significant association was found between the level of knowledge about smoking health risks and smoking status (P = 0.015, adjusted odds ratio (ORA) = 0.850 and 95% Cl for odds ratio (OR) 0.809-0.894). Most of the participants (84.2%) agreed that it is necessary to stop smoking after surgery (in addition to preoperative smoking cessation), while 14.4% did not know. Most participants could identify that the most common health risks due to smoking are lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and coronary artery disease. Conclusion This study revealed limited awareness of the surgical risks of cigarette smoking despite generally good knowledge of its overall health effects. Targeted educational and cessation programs, including preoperative counseling and accessible support services, are essential to address this gap in the Makkah population.