Assessing patients’ knowledge and concerns about anesthesia risks at King Abdullah hospital: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Preoperative anesthesia-related anxiety is a widespread issue that can negatively impact surgical outcomes. Despite its importance, there is limited data on patient perceptions in regional settings like King Abdullah Hospital in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess patients' knowledge, perceptions, preferences, and concerns regarding anesthesia in this population. Methods: A hospital-based, quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 405 adult preoperative patients. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic details, perceptions of anesthesiologists, anesthesia preferences, and preoperative concerns. Concern levels were assessed using a 16-item Likert scale and categorized as low, moderate, or high. Data were analyzed in SPSS using chi-square tests. Results: The mean age of participants was 36.5 years; 62.7% were female and 54.3% were university-educated. Most (69.1%) had previous surgical experience. A considerable proportion experienced moderate (46.4%) or high (25.2%) preoperative concern. Prominent fears included postoperative pain, paralysis, failure to wake up, and prolonged ICU stay. General anesthesia was the preferred choice (71.1%) due to fear of pain. Significant factors associated with higher concern levels included female gender, middle age (40–49 years), higher education, and lower confidence in healthcare providers (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite high trust in anesthesiologists, moderate to high levels of anesthesia-related concern persist, focused on severe risks and pain. These concerns are significantly influenced by demographic factors and trust in healthcare providers.