GLP-1 receptor agonist users in Saudi Arabia show suboptimal knowledge and attitudes despite favorable practices

The rapid adoption of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for weight management and glycemic control in Saudi Arabia has raised concerns regarding appropriate use, medication safety, and prevalent misconceptions. Despite their efficacy, the widespread, often self-directed, use of these powerful metabolic modulators necessitates a clear understanding of user knowledge, attitudes, and practices. This study specifically addresses the gap in understanding how users perceive and utilize GLP-1 RAs, which is crucial for optimizing public health strategies and ensuring safe, effective medication use.

This cross-sectional study recruited 310 adult GLP-1 receptor agonist users (≥18 years) in Saudi Arabia between December 2025 and March 2026. Participants had used semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide within the preceding 12 months. Recruitment utilized purposive snowball sampling via social media platforms. Researchers employed descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) levels and identify associated demographic and educational factors.