Public Awareness and Perception of Robotic-Assisted Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Sociodemographic Influences

Husna Irfan Thalib^1*Khadijah Tahir¹Ayesha Shrouq Amin¹Zahra Hussein Alabdrabalrasol¹Sarah Kaleem Ather¹Bader Mahmoud Almurad¹Sara Ahmed Al Nawajha¹Ahmed ElShoura¹Rida Gethami²Noor Ahmad Shaik^3*Salem Sroor Albagmi^4*

• ¹Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ²University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ³King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁴Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Word count: 283 Background: Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is becoming increasingly prevalent in Saudi Arabia, though public awareness and acceptance remain variable. This study aimed to explore sociodemographic factors influencing familiarity and perception of RAS in the Saudi population. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 681 participants across various regions of Saudi Arabia. A validated, structured questionnaire assessed RAS awareness, acceptance, and concerns. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and chi square tests examined associations between sociodemographic factors and RAS familiarity and acceptance. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of high levels of awareness and familiarity. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Results: Younger participants (18-24 years) were more familiar with RAS, largely due to greater exposure to technology. Saudi nationals and those from the Central and Western regions had higher awareness of RAS. Healthcare professionals expressed concerns regarding the safety, cost, and necessary training for RAS. Logistic regression analysis showed that males were less familiar with robotic-assisted surgery than females (OR = 0.689, p = 0.02). Saudis were more familiar than non-Saudis (OR = 1.751, p = 0.008). In terms of safety, males were more likely to consider it unsafe (OR = 0.504, p = 0.001). Participants from the Southern region and single participants were more likely to consider it safe (OR = 2.002, p = 0.006; OR = 10.857, p = 0.047). Conclusion: The study identifies several sociodemographic factors that influence public perceptions of RAS. Targeted education, public awareness campaigns and the incorporation of RAS into medical training curricula can enhance acceptance and understanding. Further research should explore patient experiences and the long-term effects of RAS implementation on healthcare outcomes.