Patients’ knowledge and perception of anesthesia and the anesthesiologist at a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Background: Despite the expanding scope of modern anesthesiology, a significant public knowledge deficit persists, particularly in low-resource settings. In Somalia, where anesthesia is often delivered by non-specialist providers, this gap is likely to be pronounced. This study aimed to quantify patient knowledge and perceptions of anesthesia and anesthesiologists and to identify associated sociodemographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a single tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, recruiting 495 elective surgical patients (aged ≥ 15 years). Data were collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires. The knowledge score (0–6) was analyzed using a multiple linear regression model, the assumptions of which were appropriately checked to identify significant predictors. Results: Of the 495 participants, 65.5% were aware of anesthesia, yet a profound knowledge gap was evident regarding the anesthesiologist’s broader role: 96.6% were unaware of their work outside the operating room, and 67.9% were unsure of their responsibility for postoperative care. Multiple linear regression revealed that higher educational attainment (β = 0.232, p = 0.002), employment (β = 0.369, p = 0.034), and female sex (β = 0.383, p = 0.037) were significant predictors of higher knowledge scores. Conclusion: This study provides the first empirical data from Somalia, quantifying a substantial deficit in patient understanding of modern anesthesiology. These findings highlight an urgent need for enhanced perioperative communication and patient education. Implementing culturally appropriate educational interventions is essential to bridge this knowledge gap, empower patients, and improve their overall surgical experience.