Background: To date, there has been no large population-based study about Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Lebanon. Our study evaluated high risk individuals, knowledge and associated factors of OSA among a representative sample of Lebanese adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted between June and August 2019, enrolled 472 people aged above 18. A proportionate random sample from all Lebanese Governorate was applied. Each governorate is divided into Caza (stratum), which in turn is divided into multiple villages. Two villages were selected randomly from the list of villages provided by the Central Agency of Statistics in Lebanon. Households were randomly selected from each village using an online software.Results: The percentage of physician-diagnosed sleep apnea in our sample was 11%; 159 (33.7%) had poor knowledge (scores ≤11), whereas 165 (35.0%) and 148 (31.4%) had moderate (scores between 12 and 15) and good (scores ≥16) knowledge respectively. The study results showed that -according to the Epworth Scale- having diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and hypertension were associated with higher daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, mild, moderate and severe excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) percentages were 14.4%, 16.3% and 13.8% respectively. According to the STOP-BANG questionnaire, 31.6% of participants had an intermediate risk of OSA and 7.6% had a high risk. Diabetic patients and those with myocardial infarction were significantly associated with higher STOP BANG scores.Concerning knowledge, having heard about sleep apnea was associated with a higher knowledge score. Overall, 31.4% of the participants had a good score. Conclusion The actual study proves that EDS which has adverse health effects, is associated with multiple morbidities. Besides, the general population isn’t aware enough of this disease. Comparing the rate of high-risk individuals to the physician-diagnosed ones, we conclude that in Lebanon, OSA is likely prevalent but underdiagnosed. Ongoing health campaigns and screenings should be assigned to target the general community.

Background : To date, there has been no large population-based study associated with public awareness in Lebanon about sleep apnea. Our study investigated the prevalence of, associated factors and knowledge of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) among a representative sample of Lebanese adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted between June and August 2019, enrolled 472 people aged above 18 years. A proportionate random sample from all Lebanese Mohafazat was applied. Results: The study results showed that a higher number of cigarettes per day, having diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, hypertension and arrhythmia were associated with higher daytime sleepiness. Participants living in the North had less daytime sleepiness, whereas those living in Beqaa had higher daytime sleepiness compared to those living in Beirut. Concerning knowledge, having heard about sleep apnea and having a university level of education were associated with a higher score, whereas having cerebrovascular accidents was associated with lower knowledge scores. Conclusion Complications of OSA are still poorly known, as are certain suggestive symptoms. Given the local relevance of OSA, ongoing health campaigns and innovative educational programs should be assigned to target the general community.