Jordanian Population Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on the Uses of Antidiabetics for Weight Loss Purposes: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Obesity became a recent pandemic, especially, during the Corona Virus Pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Therefore, people started to adopt effortless methods to lose weight such as certain antidiabetic medications.Objectives To evaluate Jordanian population knowledge, attitude and practices towards the use of antidiabetic medications such as (Ozempic®), (Saxenda®), (Mounjaro®) and (Glucophage®) for weight loss.Method A self-administered validated online questionnaire was developed and disseminated to public. Data were extracted to examine descriptive statistics. Linear regression was performed to evaluate predictors of knowledge and attitude. A P-value ≤ 0.05 was chosen to indicate statistical significance.Results Total of 389 responses were analyzed, 65.6% females, 54.2% married, 78.1% living in the center of Jordan, 35.5% overweight and 26.5% have > 1000 Jordanian Dinars (JOD) monthly income. 57% think that antidiabetics could be used for weight loss. 47.27%, 44.55%, 68.18% recognized (Ozempic®), (Saxenda®), (Mounjaro®) and (Glucophage®) use for weight loss, respectively and 12.3% of participants used medications to lose weight. Neutral attitude was observed. Gender and body mass index (BMI) were significant predictors of knowledge (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, respectively).Conclusion Use of (Ozempic®), (Saxenda®) and other antidiabetics to lose weight become a common practice. The results of this study suggests supervising prescription and dispensing to avoid misuse, especially, in people who are contraindicated to use them.