Syrian medical and non-medical students’ knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a cross-sectional online survey

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a public health challenge globally. It is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and diagnosed mainly by spirometry. However, COPD is often underdiagnosed and the lack of public awareness about it may be a reason. Syria has suffered from a conflict that has affected its health system disastrously. In addition, COPD prevalence in Syria is estimated to be the highest among middle eastern countries. Therefore, evaluation and increasing public awareness about COPD may help in reducing the COPD burden in this country. University students are an interesting population to study as universities are one of the main places of campaigns. Besides, such studies may be useful in improving the medical curriculum and teaching for COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administrated online survey was conducted in this study, consisting of four sections: demographic characteristics of the study’s sample, their smoking habits, COPD-related knowledge, and sources of information about COPD. Results: Of the 794 participants, 562 were medical students and 268 were non-medical. Nearly 50% of them were either current or negative smokers. The non-medical group showed a low level of knowledge about COPD since only 27% of them had heard previously about COPD. In relation to medical students, they showed better knowledge about COPD as 80.2% of them declared that they had heard about COPD, and 71% correctly identified what COPD refers to. Only about 15% of medical students used reliable sources of medical information to get information related to COPD. Conclusions: Syrian medical and non-medical students’ knowledge of COPD is not satisfied and needs to be improved either by awareness campaigns or by improving medical curricula and teaching about this disease.