Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.
<h4>Background</h4>Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction requiring prompt treatment with epinephrine. However, gaps in public understanding exist globally. To guide future education efforts, this study assessed anaphylaxis awareness among adults in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Ar...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2024-01-01
|
| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315722 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1841533087767330816 |
|---|---|
| author | Ahmed Alanazy Raja Saad Boodai Badiah Ibrahim Alhulaybi Amenah Ibrahim Alraihan Raghad Ahmed Almulhim Bainah Fahad Almulhim Suchithra K Rajappan Abdullah Alruwaili Ahmad Alanazi |
| author_facet | Ahmed Alanazy Raja Saad Boodai Badiah Ibrahim Alhulaybi Amenah Ibrahim Alraihan Raghad Ahmed Almulhim Bainah Fahad Almulhim Suchithra K Rajappan Abdullah Alruwaili Ahmad Alanazi |
| author_sort | Ahmed Alanazy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction requiring prompt treatment with epinephrine. However, gaps in public understanding exist globally. To guide future education efforts, this study assessed anaphylaxis awareness among adults in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional survey assessed knowledge among 380 adults using a validated questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used with data collected via online platforms. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were tested. We analyzed the data using SPSS software.<h4>Results</h4>Knowledge was suboptimal, with a mean score of 34.5/60. Most identified the anaphylaxis definition (76.1%) and rapid symptom onset (78.9% within minutes). But just 37.9% recognized epinephrine as a first-line treatment and only 17.4% had auto-injector training. Nearly half (48.4%) needed to learn the proper EpiPen injection site. Under half understood the need for long-term allergen avoidance. Older age, more education, and Job status were associated with higher scores.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study reveals critical gaps in anaphylaxis knowledge among adults in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Poor understanding of emergency treatment and long-term management highlights the urgent need for improved public awareness. Targeted educational initiatives must emphasize prompt epinephrine administration, proper auto-injector use, and allergen avoidance. Collaborative efforts engaging healthcare professionals, schools, and policymakers are essential to enhance anaphylaxis preparedness through focused training and tailored awareness campaigns. This will empower the Saudi public to recognize symptoms quickly and respond effectively, saving lives from this dangerous allergic reaction. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-594ce344c20c40009ad2fcdc81a35201 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj-art-594ce344c20c40009ad2fcdc81a352012025-01-17T05:31:52ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-011912e031572210.1371/journal.pone.0315722Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.Ahmed AlanazyRaja Saad BoodaiBadiah Ibrahim AlhulaybiAmenah Ibrahim AlraihanRaghad Ahmed AlmulhimBainah Fahad AlmulhimSuchithra K RajappanAbdullah AlruwailiAhmad Alanazi<h4>Background</h4>Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction requiring prompt treatment with epinephrine. However, gaps in public understanding exist globally. To guide future education efforts, this study assessed anaphylaxis awareness among adults in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional survey assessed knowledge among 380 adults using a validated questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used with data collected via online platforms. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were tested. We analyzed the data using SPSS software.<h4>Results</h4>Knowledge was suboptimal, with a mean score of 34.5/60. Most identified the anaphylaxis definition (76.1%) and rapid symptom onset (78.9% within minutes). But just 37.9% recognized epinephrine as a first-line treatment and only 17.4% had auto-injector training. Nearly half (48.4%) needed to learn the proper EpiPen injection site. Under half understood the need for long-term allergen avoidance. Older age, more education, and Job status were associated with higher scores.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study reveals critical gaps in anaphylaxis knowledge among adults in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Poor understanding of emergency treatment and long-term management highlights the urgent need for improved public awareness. Targeted educational initiatives must emphasize prompt epinephrine administration, proper auto-injector use, and allergen avoidance. Collaborative efforts engaging healthcare professionals, schools, and policymakers are essential to enhance anaphylaxis preparedness through focused training and tailored awareness campaigns. This will empower the Saudi public to recognize symptoms quickly and respond effectively, saving lives from this dangerous allergic reaction.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315722 |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed Alanazy Raja Saad Boodai Badiah Ibrahim Alhulaybi Amenah Ibrahim Alraihan Raghad Ahmed Almulhim Bainah Fahad Almulhim Suchithra K Rajappan Abdullah Alruwaili Ahmad Alanazi Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE |
| title | Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. |
| title_full | Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. |
| title_fullStr | Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. |
| title_short | Awareness of anaphylaxis among public in Al-Ahsa City of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. |
| title_sort | awareness of anaphylaxis among public in al ahsa city of saudi arabia a cross sectional study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315722 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ahmedalanazy awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT rajasaadboodai awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT badiahibrahimalhulaybi awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT amenahibrahimalraihan awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT raghadahmedalmulhim awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT bainahfahadalmulhim awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT suchithrakrajappan awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT abdullahalruwaili awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy AT ahmadalanazi awarenessofanaphylaxisamongpublicinalahsacityofsaudiarabiaacrosssectionalstudy |