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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Pharmacology

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among users of GLP-1 receptor agonists in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

  • Abdullah A. Alshehri1
  • Mohammed K. Al-Osaimi2
  • Nawaf N. Al-Saeedi2
  • Osama M. Al-Wagdani2
  • Sultan S. Al-Zahrani2
  • Fareed A. Alharthi3
  • Ghadah H. Alshehri4
  • Fahad H. Baali1
  • Saeed Saad A. Alghamdi1
  • Wael Y. Khawagi1
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
  2. 2College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
  3. 3Medical Center, Facilities Security Forces Training Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  4. 4Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract

Background: The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has increased rapidly in Saudi Arabia for weight management and glycaemic control. However, concerns remain regarding inappropriate use, medication safety, and misconceptions surrounding these therapies. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of GLP-1 receptor agonist users in Saudi Arabia and identified factors associated with these domains.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult GLP-1 receptor agonist users in Saudi Arabia between December 2025 and March 2026. Eligible participants were aged ≥18 years and had used semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide within the previous 12 months. Participants were recruited through purposive snowball sampling via social media platforms. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to assess KAP levels and associated factors.

Results: A total of 310 participants were included. The median age was 33 years (IQR: 16), and the median BMI was 33.9 kg/m2 (IQR: 7.1). Tirzepatide was the most frequently used medication (46.1%). Good practices were reported by 54.8% of participants, whereas only 25.8% demonstrated good knowledge and 33.2% reported positive attitudes. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were positively correlated (ρ = 0.278–0.395; all p < 0.001). Participants aged >50 years were less likely to demonstrate good knowledge (aOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04–0.82) and positive attitudes (aOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.91). Postgraduate education was independently associated with positive attitudes (aOR = 6.51, 95% CI: 2.23–18.99) and good practices (aOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.37–14.60), while female sex was associated with good practices (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.28–3.33).

Conclusion: GLP-1 receptor agonist users demonstrated generally favourable medication-use practices but suboptimal knowledge and attitudes. Higher knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes and better practices, highlighting the importance of patient education and healthcare professional counselling to support safe and informed use.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{alshehri2026knowledge,
  title = {{Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among users of GLP-1 receptor agonists in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study}},
  author = {Abdullah A. Alshehri and Mohammed K. Al-Osaimi and Nawaf N. Al-Saeedi and Osama M. Al-Wagdani and Sultan S. Al-Zahrani and Fareed A. Alharthi and Ghadah H. Alshehri and Fahad H. Baali and Saeed Saad A. Alghamdi and Wael Y. Khawagi},
  journal = {Frontiers in Pharmacology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1912202},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2026.1912202},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among users of GLP-1 receptor agonists in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
AU  - Abdullah A. Alshehri
AU  - Mohammed K. Al-Osaimi
AU  - Nawaf N. Al-Saeedi
AU  - Osama M. Al-Wagdani
AU  - Sultan S. Al-Zahrani
AU  - Fareed A. Alharthi
AU  - Ghadah H. Alshehri
AU  - Fahad H. Baali
AU  - Saeed Saad A. Alghamdi
AU  - Wael Y. Khawagi
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/12
JO  - Frontiers in Pharmacology
DO  - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1912202
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2026.1912202
AB  - Background: The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has increased rapidly in Saudi Arabia for weight management and glycaemic control. However, concerns remain regarding inappropriate use, medication safety, and misconceptions surrounding these therapies. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of GLP-1 receptor agonist users in Saudi Arabia and identified factors associated with these domains.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult GLP-1 receptor agonist users in Saudi Arabia between December 2025 and March 2026. Eligible participants were aged ≥18 years and had used semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide within the previous 12 months. Participants were recruited through purposive snowball sampling via social media platforms. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to assess KAP levels and associated factors.  Results: A total of 310 participants were included. The median age was 33 years (IQR: 16), and the median BMI was 33.9 kg/m2 (IQR: 7.1). Tirzepatide was the most frequently used medication (46.1%). Good practices were reported by 54.8% of participants, whereas only 25.8% demonstrated good knowledge and 33.2% reported positive attitudes. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were positively correlated (ρ = 0.278–0.395; all p < 0.001). Participants aged >50 years were less likely to demonstrate good knowledge (aOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04–0.82) and positive attitudes (aOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.91). Postgraduate education was independently associated with positive attitudes (aOR = 6.51, 95% CI: 2.23–18.99) and good practices (aOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.37–14.60), while female sex was associated with good practices (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.28–3.33).  Conclusion: GLP-1 receptor agonist users demonstrated generally favourable medication-use practices but suboptimal knowledge and attitudes. Higher knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes and better practices, highlighting the importance of patient education and healthcare professional counselling to support safe and informed use.
SN  - 1663-9812
ER  -