AWARENESS ABOUT THE OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF BARIATRIC SURGERY AMONG WOMEN FROM AL-JOUF, SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Females who suffer from obesity in their reproductive age appeared to be representing most of the patients seeking bariatric surgeries, recording about 80%. Therefore, their knowledge and awareness about these surgeries, and the benefits and complications of the surgery are crucial.

Aim: This cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the level of awareness among females in Saudi Arabia towards the obstetric and gynecological outcomes of bariatric surgeries.

Method: A self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed among consented females from Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia, including questions on bariatric surgeries and their obstetric and gynecological consequences. The items included questions on type of operation, gynecological and obstetric impact, and socio-demographic variables. Awareness scores have a minimum score of zero and a maximum score of six.

Results: 334 females responded to this survey. The total awareness score for the whole cohort was 2.18 ± 1.23. There was a significant difference among different age groups, where females ageing between 45 and 54 years old had the highest score (3 ± 0.025; P <0.001). Females with a secondary school certification had a significantly higher score (3.28 ± 1.621; P <0.001). Females who had a previous operation showed a significantly higher score (P = 0.001). Females who got their information from physicians had the highest levels of knowledge compared to other females (3.08 ± 1.133; P <0.001).

Conclusion: Level of knowledge and awareness of the investigated Saudi population about bariatric surgeries and their gynecological and obstetric impact is considered unsatisfactory. Further studies are needed in other areas in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Awareness, Obstetric, Gynecological, Impact, Bariatric surgery, Women, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia.