Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and knowledge about pulmonary embolism (PE) and its associated risks among patients who underwent surgery in Western Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August 2023 and September 2024, involving 401 post-surgical patients. Participants completed a short questionnaire developed from prior studies covering awareness, symptoms, and prevention.
Results: Among 401 surgical patients, only 34.2% had prior knowledge of PE, and 73.6% demonstrated overall poor awareness. Awareness of risk factors and symptoms was limited; 46.1% recognized smoking, and 33.9% identified obesity as a risk factor, while 57.5% identified shortness of breath as a symptom. Awareness was strongly influenced by prior education on preventive measures, with 74.5% of educated participants showing
good awareness compared to only 9.2% among those without education (p-value = 0.001). Age and type of surgery were also significantly associated with awareness levels (p < 0.05). The majority of patients relied on healthcare providers (57.1%) and online resources (27.4%) for health information.
Conclusion: Awareness of PE among surgical patients in Western Saudi Arabia remains inadequate. Focused educational interventions, particularly preoperative counseling delivered by healthcare providers and supported by digital resources, could help patients recognize and prevent PE, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality.

Key words: Awareness, knowledge, pulmonary embolism, western region, Saudi Arabia.