Understanding pulse oximeter readings and interference factors: an observational study among residents of South Tangerang, Indonesia

Silent hypoxia is a condition where patients can exhibit severe hypoxemia without dyspnea and can rapidly lead to clinical deterioration. Proactive home-based monitoring has then become essential for early detection and intervention. However, community knowledge about pulse oximeters remains under-researched, particularly in South Tangerang, Indonesia. This study aimed to assess residents’ knowledge of home pulse oximeters and identify sociodemographic predictors of device literacy. A cross-sectional study by conducted using convenient sampling and 302 residents was recruited. The survey was translated into Bahasa Indonesia and validated (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient: 0.871). Due to the non-normal distribution of scores (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, p < 0.05), knowledge levels were transformed into categorical variables, “Good” (≥ 50%) and “Poor” (< 50%). Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge categories were analysed using Pearson Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests. Missing data were handled via listwise deletion. While knowledge of device application was relatively higher, proficiency regarding technical interference factors (e.g., nail polish, skin pigmentation) was critically low, with a vast majority failing to meet the 50% threshold. Significant associations were identified between “Good Knowledge” and prior pulse oximeter usage (p < 0.001) and higher education levels (p < 0.05). Notably, participants aged 60 years and above were significantly more likely to demonstrate “Good Knowledge” compared to young cohort. Findings are constrained by convenience sampling and potential social desirability bias in self-reported data. A significant gap is evident between device application and functional literacy. Thus, increasing training on proper pulse oximeter use is imperative for better silent hypoxia management.