Assessment of Public Awareness and Prevalence of Asthma Comorbidities in Al-Qunfudhah, Saudi Arabia.

Background Asthma is a globally prevalent chronic respiratory disease with rising incidence, particularly in developing countries, where underdiagnosis and poor disease control are common. In Saudi Arabia, regional disparities in asthma awareness and healthcare accessibility contribute to inconsistent disease outcomes. Al-Qunfudhah, a semi-urban coastal city in western Saudi Arabia, lacks localized data on asthma prevalence and associated comorbidities, despite its unique environmental challenges such as maritime humidity and seasonal dust storms. Objectives This study aimed to assess the level of public awareness about asthma, identify the prevalence of self-reported asthma and associated comorbidities, and evaluate demographic correlations with asthma-related knowledge among residents of Al-Qunfudhah. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2025, involving 540 adult residents of Al-Qunfudhah recruited via convenience sampling through an online Google form. A prevalidated, structured Arabic and English questionnaire assessed sociodemographic data, asthma knowledge and awareness, comorbid conditions, and management practices. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA), with chi-square tests to examine associations (p < 0.05 considered significant). Results Most participants were male (64.6%), aged 46-60 years (28.9%), and held a university degree or higher (74.3%). Although 94.4% correctly identified asthma as a lung disease, only 66.9% could recognize all common symptoms, with fewer recognizing persistent cough (21.1%) and dyspnea (43.0%). Approximately 20.2% had a prior asthma diagnosis, and among them, 69.8% had been diagnosed for over five years. Notably, 74.3% were aware of preventive measures, yet only 14.6% reported regular use of asthma medications, and 50.2% had not received inhaler technique instruction. Comorbidities were prevalent: allergic rhinitis (20.2%), obesity (5.6%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (3.7%) were the most reported. Awareness was significantly higher among those previously diagnosed with asthma, individuals aged 46-60 years, and those with intermediate education. Conclusion While general awareness of asthma in Al-Qunfudhah is relatively high, significant gaps remain in symptom literacy, medication use, and understanding of asthma-related comorbidities. These findings highlight an urgent need for community-based asthma education programs tailored to regional demographics. Targeted public health initiatives that promote accurate symptom recognition, proper inhaler usage, and integrated management of comorbidities are essential to improving asthma outcomes in underserved areas like Al-Qunfudhah.