Knowledge & awareness of burn first aid among health-care workers in Saudi Arabia: Are health-care workers in need for an effective educational program?

Differences in burn injury knowledge among reproductive-age women attending an urban and a semi-rural hospital in Northwest Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To assess burn injury knowledge and its predictors among reproductive-age women attending an urban and a semi-rural hospital in Northwest Nigeria DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study SETTING: It was conducted in the general and paediatric outpatient clinics of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano (urban setting) and the general outpatient, paediatric outpatient and antenatal clinics of Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu (semi-rural setting).

PARTICIPANT

In 2021, 362 women aged 18-44 years were randomly selected from clinic attendees over six weeks. Of them, 217 were from the urban hospital. Data regarding their sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge of burn injuries was collected using a pretested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire.

OUTCOME MEASURE

Knowledge of burn injuries RESULTS: About 83.4 %, 77.1 % and 77.6 % of respondents had adequate general, primary prevention and overall knowledge of burn injuries, respectively. Their mean overall knowledge score was 18.6 out of 24, but only 55.5 % had adequate first-aid knowledge. The study sites did not significantly differ in burns first-aid, prevention and overall knowledge scores. However, urban respondents were more ignorant about the cause of burns and knew that burn injuries could be fatal. More semi-rural respondents knew that flames and chemicals cause burn injuries. Predictors of overall knowledge were age, educational level, number of children in their household, previously seeing a burn-injured child, and primary source of burns-related information.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of respondents with adequate overall burn injury knowledge was high; however, knowledge gaps exist among them. Overall, their first-aid knowledge was relatively low. The urban and semi-rural respondents had no significant differences in first-aid, prevention, or overall knowledge of burn injuries. However, knowledge of the causes of burns and burn complications differed between the urban and semi-rural study locations. Therefore, the clinical settings of this study present opportunities for similar burn-related educational interventions.

Awareness of Burn Injury Prevention and First Aid Management Among Adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Burn injuries represent a significant public health concern, with the effectiveness of preventive measures and first aid largely dependent on public knowledge. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of burn injury prevention and first aid management among adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was administered to adults in Jazan using a structured questionnaire. The survey assessed participants' knowledge of burn causes, preventive strategies, and first aid practices. Responses were analyzed to gauge the level of awareness and identify gaps in knowledge.

RESULTS

Among the participants (n = 400), 71.3% (n = 285) recognized hot liquids as a primary burn hazard, 27.4% (n = 109) identified electricity, 97.0% (n = 388) cited fire, and 53.8% (n = 215) acknowledged chemicals. In terms of preventive measures, 61.6% (n = 246) understood the importance of following manufacturer safety guidelines, 78.8% (n = 315) knew to keep chemicals out of children's reach, 72.4% (n = 289) were aware of the need to wear gloves, and 61.6% (n = 246) recognized the necessity of avoiding the storage of unnecessary chemicals. For first aid practices, 91.8% (n = 367) knew to use water, 50.8% (n = 203) would seek medical attention, 22.6% (n = 90) would cover burns, and 20.3% (n = 81) considered pain management important.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate a strong awareness among adults in Jazan regarding burn injury causes, prevention, and first aid practices. Despite this, gaps remain in specific first-aid responses and comprehensive safety measures. Targeted educational initiatives could address these gaps and enhance burn injury prevention and management.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Electrical Burns

Burn prevention programs can effectively reduce morbidity and mortality rates. In this article, we present the findings of our investigation of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Saudi Arabian population regarding electrical burns. Our study was a cross-sectional online survey that used a five-part questionnaire to assess the participant's demographic information, knowledge of electrical burns, attitudes toward electrical injuries, and practices related to electrical burns and their prevention. Overall, 2314 individuals responded to the survey (males: 41.2%; females: 58.8%). A total of 839 participants (36%) had a personal or family history of electrical burns. Approximately ≥90% of the responses to questions on electrical burn-related knowledge were correct; relatively less responses to questions on the extent of tissue damage from electrical burns and arcs were correct (74% and 29%, respectively). Only 54% of the respondents knew that applying first aid to the burn-affected areas at home could lead to a better outcome; 27% and 19% did not know the correct answer and thought that this would not lead to a better outcome, respectively. The most common source of information was school or college (38.9%), followed by social media (20.8%) and internet websites (16.3%). Enhancing community awareness and practices related to electrical burns is a cost-effective and straightforward strategy to prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with electrical injuries.

Knowledge and Practices of Public Related to Burns Management in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Burn injuries are a significant global health challenge, with physical and psychological consequences affecting 180 000 people annually. This study aimed to evaluate public knowledge and practices regarding burn management. This cross-sectional survey included 582 participants to assess their knowledge and practices related to burn management between January 2023 and May 2023. Non-healthcare participants in Al Ahsa city in Saudi Arabia were asked questions about demographic data on age, sex, education, and nationality, along with assessing knowledge of burn first aid, sources of information, awareness of burn degree, chemical burn management, personal burn exposure, and traditional treatments. Our study of 582 participants highlighted significant findings related to sex and educational levels in burn management knowledge and practice. Females were more likely to receive information about burn first aid (69.3%), with a preference for social media as their information source, while males favored official courses (31.3%). Males displayed higher self-perceived knowledge were more inclined to consider first-degree burns the most dangerous (44.7%) and were better informed about managing chemical burns (24.2%). Females reported higher burn exposure (72.5%) and were more likely to manage burns themselves (76.5%). Informed participants with prior knowledge exhibited a greater interest in learning more about burn first aid (97%) and were more knowledgeable about burn degree and chemical burn management. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring public health education to burn first aid based on sex and education level. Such targeted approaches can enhance population-level preparedness and reduce burn injuries' affect more effectively.

Knowledge, attitude, and sources of information towards burn first aid among people referred to a burn centre in the north of Iran

Optimal management of burns begins with first aid from the first hours of injury. Adequate knowledge of how to perform first aid for burns can reduce the consequences of injury. Therefore, this study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude, and sources of information assessment towards burn First aid among people referred to a burn centre in the north of Iran. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude, and sources of information towards burn first aid among people referred to a burn centre in the north of Iran in 2023. In this survey, a convenience sampling method was adopted. The variables consisted of four items on socio-demographic information, 15 items on knowledge, ten items on attitude, and one item on sources of information related to burn First aid. A total of 371 individuals responded to the survey. The mean age of participants was 31.90 ± 8.49 years old. The mean score of the total knowledge of the participants in the research was 6.04 ± 3.05. There was a statistically significant relationship between the variables of age, sex, marital status, place of residence, level of education, and history of receiving first aid training with the participants' knowledge level. The average score of the total attitude of the participants was 44.08 ± 3.88. Out of 371 participants, 214 people (57.7%) had an average attitude, and 157 people (42.3%) had a good attitude towards burn first aid. There was a statistically significant relationship between place of residence, level of education, and history of receiving first aid training with the participants' attitudes in the research. In addition, the level of knowledge had a statistically significant relationship with the participants' attitude level in the research (p-value <0.001). The majority of participants have limited knowledge of burn first aid. This lack of knowledge could lead to severe consequences. Therefore, healthcare organizations should review and promote consistent guidelines for burn first aid to tackle and minimize the effect of this grave injury.

A systematic review of health care workers' knowledge and related factors towards burn first aid

The present systematic review was conducted to investigate the knowledge of health care workers (HCWs) regarding first aid in burns. A comprehensive, systematic search was performed in different international electronic databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Persian electronic databases such as Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as 'Knowledge', 'First aid', 'Health personnel' and 'Burns' from the earliest to 1 February 2023. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS tool) evaluates the quality of the included studies. A total of 3213 HCWs participated in seven cross-sectional studies. Of the HCWs, 44.50% were physicians. The studies included in this systematic review were conducted in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Turkey, the UK, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The knowledge rate of HCWs related to first aid for burns was 64.78 out of 100, which indicates their relatively desirable knowledge. The factors of first aid training experience, age, and experienced burn traumas had a significant positive effect on the knowledge of HCWs related to first aid for burns. Also, factors such as gender, nationality, marital status, and job position had a significant relationship with the knowledge of HCWs about first aid for burns. Therefore, it is suggested that health care managers and policymakers implement training programs and practical workshops related to first aid, especially first aid for burns.

A systematic review of medical science students' knowledge and related factors towards burns first aids

This systematic review aims to examine the knowledge of medical science students about burn first aid. A comprehensive, systematic search was performed in different international electronic databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Persian electronic databases such as Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database (SID) using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as "Knowledge", "First aid", "Medical science student" and "Burn" from the earliest to February 1, 2023. The quality of the studies included in this systematic review was evaluated by using the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS tool). Thirteen studies had a total of 5046 students studying medical sciences. Among them, 62.24% were female and 77.67% were medical students. The studies included in this systematic review were conducted in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, and Malaysia. Medical science students' average knowledge of first aid for burns is 56.92 out of 100, which is considered to be a moderate level of knowledge. Factors such as the experience of first aid training, academic year, clinical experience, and economic status had a significant positive relationship with the knowledge of medical science students about first aid for burns. Also, factors such as age, academic specialisation, academic year, information sources, and fathers' occupation had a significant relationship with the knowledge of medical students about first aid for burns. Therefore, it is suggested that healthcare managers and policymakers make the necessary plans to ensure that first aid training courses are implemented during medical science students' studies as a part of their curriculum.

Assessment of Awareness and Practices Related to Burn Injury First Aid Among the General Public: Cross-Sectional Study in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Background Burn injuries can be highly traumatic and harmful, leading to significant mortality rates, extended hospital stays, deformity, and incapacity. In the long term, they may also result in rejection, social stigma, and psychiatric issues. This study aimed to estimate the awareness and practices related to burn injury first aid among the general public in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Methods This is an online cross-sectional survey in Taif, Saudi Arabia. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the adult population, comprising individuals aged 18 years and older, of both genders, from June 2023 to August 2023. The questionnaire consisted of 24 questions divided into demographics and first aid for burns. The Scientific Research Ethics Committee at Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia, obtained the ethical approval for the study. Results A total of 531 individuals were included in the study. About half were male (58.4%) and in the age group of 22-29 years (52%). Out of that number, 24.1% were medical field students. About one-third of the respondents had participated in a burn training course (33.7%), and 73.8% reported experiencing a burn injury before, either to themselves or their family. Most respondents chose to treat the burn area using honey, and only 15.6% knew that they should administer water to a burn injury for 10 to 15 or >15 minutes. Most of the participants reported an excellent knowledge level (62.9%). Only 8.7% had an excellent practice level. The total knowledge and practice score was significantly associated with participation in the burn training course (P-value < 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). The work nature and prior experience with a burn injury were significantly associated with the knowledge scores (P-value=0.003, for both). Monthly income and the work nature also correlated with the practice total score (P-value=0.023 and <0.001, respectively). Conclusion Most participants had an excellent knowledge level, however, most of them reported poor or acceptable practice scores. It highlights the need for training sessions, awareness campaigns, and dissemination of evidence-based information to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice.

Knowledge and Practice of Burn Management Among Physicians Using Burn Manikin in Ha'il, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background Burn is a skin injury that results in the death of the impacted cells. Burn injuries are frequently unintentional and very avoidable. With proper management, the outcome is improved, and the need for surgical intervention is reduced. This article discusses healthcare providers' knowledge and practice of burn first aid and management to highlight the need for the enhanced practice of burn management and first-aid skills. Objective This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of burn injuries management among healthcare workers in different specialties in Hail city. Methods  A cross-sectional study was conducted via an interviewer-administrated face-to-face questionnaire and video recording of a simulated case of burn injury collected from our skill lab at Hail University and evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Result The study analyzed 119 physicians (mean age = 36.3 years, SD = 6.7) managing burn cases. Of these, 59.7% were male, and 40.3% were female. The mean evaluation score was 7.71 (SD = 2.84). None of the factors studied, including gender (p = 0.353), age (p = 0.970), education level (p = 0.127), specialty (p = 0.871), professional experience (p = 0.118), working sector (p = 0.178), nationality (p = 0.742), or participation in burn management course (p = 0.131), had a significant effect on burn management skills of physicians. However, some groups had higher mean evaluation scores than others. Further research is needed to explore potential reasons for the observed differences in mean evaluation scores among different groups of physicians. Conclusion We discovered that most physicians were found to have poor practical knowledge of proper burn management, and most of them had not engaged in a burn first aid training, therefore more courses targeting physicians who may meet burn patients are required.

Evaluation of Perception, Awareness, and Practices Related to Burns First Aid: Largest Cross-Sectional Study Among Non-Healthcare Providers in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Introduction Burn injuries are among the most catastrophic public health issues because of the severe physical, functional, and psychological effects. Numerous studies have revealed that both developed and developing societies lack understanding about first aid for burns. This research sought to review and appraise perception, awareness, and practices of burn first aid among non-healthcare providers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and whether they need an effective program. To the best of our knowledge, this is likely the first research conducted in Jeddah. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia using a self-administered online questionnaire among non-healthcare providers in July 2022. The questionnaire was made up of 29 questions divided into two sections: demographics and first aid for burns. The Unit of Biomedical Ethics Research Committee at the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia approved this study. Results This study included 575 participants. Males comprised 54.8% (315) and females 45.2% (260) of all respondents. A total of 443 respondents (77%) held a university diploma. All respondents had a mean burn knowledge score of 6.35±1.43 out of eight. Traditional medication was used on the burn by 484 people (84.2%). Antibiotic use in burn injuries was poorly understood as 453 (78.8%) of study participants agreed that antibiotics are beneficial in the case of burns, which is incorrect. Conclusion The level of first-aid practices for burn patients among non-healthcare workers was insufficient, and the use of traditional medicines and antibiotics in burn patients was excessive. The findings of this study should be carefully considered by various healthcare organizations.

Management of non-severe burn wounds in children and adolescents: optimising outcomes through all stages of the patient journey

Paediatric burn injuries are common, especially in children younger than 5 years, and can lead to poor physical and psychosocial outcomes in the long term. In this Review, we aim to summarise the key factors and interventions before hospital admission and following discharge that can improve the long-term outcomes of paediatric burns. Care can be optimised through first aid treatment, correct initial assessment of burn severity, and appropriate patient referral to a burns centre. Scar prevention or treatment and patient follow-up after discharge are also essential. As most burn injuries in children are comparatively small and readily survivable, this Review does not cover the perioperative management associated with severe burns that require fluid resuscitation, or inhalational injury. Burns disproportionately affect children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and those living in low-income and middle-income countries, with ample evidence to suggest that there remains scope for low-cost interventions to improve care for those patients with the greatest burden of burn injury. Current knowledge gaps and future research directions are discussed.