Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pediatric foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a life‑threatening condition responsible
for many deaths every year, especially among children younger than 2 years.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge among students in Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This observational, cross‑sectional study was conducted between
December and January 2018 at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia via a paper‑based questionnaire survey of
male and female high school and middle school students. The Chi‑square test was used to compare
frequencies, and the independent t‑test was used to compare means.
RESULTS: A total of 671 students participated in this survey. The second item, “It is possible for
a child to choke on a small toy” had the highest rate of correct responses among both males and
females (93.2% vs. 94%, respectively). The eighth item “Sudden cough is a sign of choking among
children” had the lowest rate of correct responses among males (40.8%) and females (33%). Most
female participants (74.2%) knew that batteries are the most dangerous items a child can swallow,
which requires immediate medical attention (item 14), while only 56.2% of male participants knew
that (P < 0.001). The only significant predictor on linear regression analysis was “Having treated
anyone with FBA” (coefficient = −0.24, P = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: There is inadequate knowledge regarding FBA among middle and high school
students, as is the case among mothers. Moreover, only a small percentage of participants had any
first aid training.

Keywords

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