Epistaxis: What Do People Know and What Do They Do?

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the current knowledge of the first-aid management of epistaxis and misconceptions among the general Saudi population. Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed and was distributed through text message, E-mail, social networks, various websites, and web forums among the Saudi population. Responses were collected over a period of 2 months. Knowledge was assessed based on correct responses to six main questions. Five to six correct answers were considered as excellent knowledge, 3–4 as good knowledge, and 2 and below as poor knowledge. Results: There were 1760 individuals who responded to the survey, 577 (32.8%) were males. There were 828 respondents (47%) who received information on the first-aid management of epistaxis, the most common source of information was through a relative or a friend (15.7%). Only 199 respondents (11.3%) will apply pressure to control epistaxis, 99 (5.6%) knows where to correctly press, and 84 (4.78%) will correctly tilt the head forward. There were 132 respondents (7.5%) who thought that patients should be brought to the ER in all cases of epistaxis. There were 1111 respondents (63.2%) who have poor knowledge of first-aid management of epistaxis. Conclusion: There is poor knowledge of the first-aid management of epistaxis in the surveyed Saudi population. Increased awareness and information dissemination programs on the first-aid management of epistaxis can improve knowledge and recall among the general population.

Keywords

• epistaxis
• first aid
• general population
• knowledge
• saudi