Parental awareness and perceptions toward pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: crosssectional survey in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an under-recognized sleep-disordered breathing condition with important neurobehavioral and cardiometabolic consequences. This study assessed parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding pediatric OSA in southwestern Saudi Arabia and identified associated sociodemographic factors.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> An observational cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the Aseer and Jazan regions (June-August 2025). Parents (≥18 years) were recruited via social media using convenience sampling (N = 716). The validated Arabic questionnaire measured knowledge (0–11; adequate ≥6), attitudes (5–25; positive ≥16), and practices (0–12; adequate ≥7). Multivariable logistic regression examined predictors of adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and adequate practice.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Inadequate knowledge was prevalent (66.3%), while most participants reported positive attitudes (82.3%). Among caregivers, reported practice was predominantly adequate (91.1%). In adjusted analyses, increasing age was associated with lower odds of adequate knowledge and positive attitudes (both aOR = 0.98 per year; p < 0.05). Female gender was associated with higher odds across KAP domains (aORs 1.47–1.58; p < 0.05). Higher education predicted better knowledge and more positive attitudes (p < 0.05), and a greater number of children predicted lower odds of adequate practice (aOR = 0.84; p = 0.036). Social media was the preferred awareness channel (49.5%), followed by school/community sessions (23.8%).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Public knowledge of pediatric OSA in southwestern Saudi Arabia is limited despite positive attitudes, supporting targeted, culturally appropriate awareness interventions, primarily via social media.</p>