A Survey of Jellyfish Sting Knowledge among Naval Personnel in Northeast China

Abstract

Background: Jellyfish envenomation is common along the coastal area, and can cause severe consequences. Naval personnel are among the high-risk population for this injury. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge regarding jellyfish envenomation among naval personnel in a navy unit in northeast China. Methods: A predesigned questionnaire was distributed to 120 naval members in January 2015. The data of 108 respondents were included in the statistical analysis. Results: We found that 38.0% of the respondents selected jellyfish sting as the common wound in their units, and 13.0% had experienced or observed this injury. In addition, 63.0% of the participants rated their own knowledge as “low” or “none”. The average score they got was 5.77 ± 2.50, with only 16.7% getting a score above 60% of the full score. The correct rates of five questions were below 60%. No statistical differences existed in the knowledge score among different groups of respondents defined by socio-demographic variables. Conclusions: Jellyfish sting is common in this navy unit, but personnel got a low score on the knowledge assessment. They also lacked confidence in first aid. Medical education and training should be implemented to address this issue.

A survey of jellyfish sting knowledge among Thai divers in Thailand

“…Accordingly, it is vital to be able to identify the symptoms quickly so that severe cases can be sent immediately to hospital. In particular, victims who have allergies, heart disease, a temperature exceeding 38°C, are aged above 65, or have been extensively stung across a large expanse of skin should be hospitalized as soon as possible [18]. The findings in this research suggest that a majority of divers have some knowledge of the signs of jellyfish envenomation, since more than half knew that itchiness would result in mild cases.…”

“…To gather data, a questionnaire was used. This instrument was written in Thai and was developed in accordance with the Cochrane Systematic Review and 2014 Expert Consensus with the approval of the Chinese Society of Toxicology [18]. Certain alterations were made to fit the purposes of this study.…”

“…The instrument comprised two parts: the first covered demographic data through items involving gender, age, diving experience, education, and health and medical details, while the second emphasized knowledge concerning jellyfish envenomation and included items asking about sources of this knowledge, personal experience with jellyfish stings, knowledge of emergency first response, general knowledge about recognising and treating jellyfish stings, and also knowledge about the dangers and consequences of envenomation. The questions in the knowledge component included both multiple choice items and items requiring a true/false response [18]. For the purposes of this study, the term 'jellyfish' refers to the Chironex fleckeri, Aurelia aurita, Scyphozoans and Chrysaora chinensis species.…”

“…More than half of the divers knew that the rainy season in the most dangerous period in Thailand for jellyfish stings. The reason for this is that when it rains, the presence of fresh water attracts jellyfish to move towards the shore [18].…”

Occupational Safety and Related Impacts on Health and the Environment

“…Naval personnel face a range of risks. Kan and colleagues looked at how knowledge of jelly fish sting hazards affected 120 Chinese sailors by using a questionnaire [15]. Whilst stings were relatively common, the knowledge base of the sailors was not extensive and the study found better education and training were needed to address this problem.…”