Public attitudes toward preoperative assessment and risks of general anesthesia in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Anesthesia is essential in modern surgical care. Although current techniques are generally safe, some individuals remain concerned about the risks of anesthesia and the preoperative process. This study assessed public attitudes toward preoperative assessment and the risks associated with general anesthesia (GA) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 534 participants using a structured online questionnaire. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, prior anesthesia exposure, awareness, fears, and communication preferences were analyzed. Results: Of 534 participants, 290 (54.3%) were women and 296 (55.4%) were aged 18-29 years. Most participants (459, 86.0%) had prior anesthesia experience, and 262 (49.1%) considered preoperative consultation "very important." Fear of death (205, 38.4%) and postoperative pain (176, 33.0%) were the most common concerns. Women (p = 0.010), younger participants (P < 0.001), and those with health insurance (P = 0.020) showed significantly higher fear levels. In binary logistic regression, male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 0.478, P