Evaluation of daytime sleepiness and awareness of obstructive sleep apnea in adults presenting to primary care

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and its major symptoms, including excessive daytime sleepiness, among adults admitted to the Ereğli No. 1 Family Health Center in Konya. The objective was to determine participants' level of knowledge about OSAS, explore the relationship between awareness and sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical factors, and identify the role of awareness in early detection and prevention within primary health care. Materials and Methods: A total of 375 volunteers aged 18–65 years who applied to the family health center between January and June 2025 were included in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Berlin Questionnaire, the STOP-Bang Questionnaire, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, along with an awareness survey prepared by the researcher. After obtaining informed consent, participants' anthropometric measurements (height, weight, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios, and neck circumference) were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software. Results. Of the participants, 78.4% were classified in the low-risk group and 21.6% in the high-risk group according to the Berlin Questionnaire; while 68.5% were in the low-risk and 31.5% in the moderate-to-high risk group according to STOP-Bang. In the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, 16% of the participants had excessive daytime sleepiness. Male sex, older age, higher BMI, larger waist and neck circumferences, hypertension, and nasal obstruction were significantly associated with higher OSAS risk. Awareness of OSAS was found to be closely related to educational level, occupation, and income status, with health professionals and educators showing the highest awareness levels. Participants with greater awareness had lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratios. However, knowledge about diagnosis and polysomnography (PSG) was limited, despite relatively high rates of having "heard about OSAS." Moreover, individuals with a family member or acquaintance using CPAP devices demonstrated higher awareness. No significant relationship was found between awareness and smoking, alcohol use, or psychiatric disorders. Strong correlations were identified between the Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth results, and between the Berlin and STOP-Bang questionnaires, whereas no significant relationship was found between STOP-Bang and Epworth scores. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that OSAS awareness is influenced not only by symptom presence but also by sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, particularly education and professional background. Despite high rates of having heard about OSAS, detailed knowledge regarding diagnostic methods and treatment remained limited. The findings highlight the critical role of primary health care in raising awareness, identifying at-risk individuals, and guiding them to specialized centers for polysomnography and treatment. Increasing community-based awareness programs may contribute to earlier diagnosis, improved disease management, and the prevention of OSAS-related comorbidities. Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea, awareness, primary healthcare, sociodemographic characteristics.