Awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its risk factors among the adult population in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet public awareness remains limited, particularly in developing regions. Assessing awareness and its determinants is essential for effective prevention strategies. This study aim to assess the level of awareness of COPD and its risk factors among adults in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, and to identify factors associated with good knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 513 adults using a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, smoking behaviors, environmental exposures, and COPD-related knowledge. An awareness score was developed and categorized into low, moderate, and high levels. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Only 31.4% had heard of COPD. While most identified smoking as a cause (468, 91.2%) and the lung as the affected organ (447, 87.1%), misconceptions were common: 266 (51.9%) believed COPD is rare, 187 (36.5%) thought it is curable with antibiotics, and only 192 (37.4%) recognized it as lifelong. Most participants had moderate knowledge (358, 69.8%), followed by high (112, 21.8%) and low (43, 8.4%) levels. Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with lower knowledge (34.8% vs 7.1%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, male gender (aOR = 0.612, p = 0.037) and lower income were associated with poorer knowledge, while higher income predicted better awareness (aOR = 1.329, p = 0.004). Conclusion: COPD awareness in the Jazan region is suboptimal, with significant misconceptions and a disconnect between knowledge and behavior. Targeted public health interventions are needed to improve awareness and promote preventive practices.