Population Awareness and Attitude towards First Aid in Burn in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, an estimated 180, 000 deaths per year are caused by burns. Majority occur in low- and middle-income countries. Inadequate awareness of burn first aid has been reported in both developed and developing countries. In Saudi Arabia, studies reported inadequate level of knowledge of general population of first aid in burns emergencies including communities of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Majmaah and Hail.
 Objective: we aim to assess the general knowledge and attitude regrading burn first aid among Makkah Al-Mukarramah population. Thus, the results of this study could help to understand the need of community to more implantation of Health Awareness Campaigns to help burn injuries managements.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using an online survey. A total of 1390 participants completed the questionnaire from 15 February to 15 March 2019.
 Results: Around 51.4% believed that washing burned area with cold water is the immediate first aid in 1st degree burns, 38.3% and 61.7% believed that going to the nearest emergency department is the immediate first aid in 2nd and 3rd degree burns, respectively. Around 46.7% agreed to remove the clothes stuck to the burned skin in case of burns , 34.5% applied traditional home remedy including toothpaste, honey, tomato paste or egg.
 Conclusion: we found that population of western region have fair knowledge and attitude towards first aid in burns. However, traditional home remedy practice still present. Health Awareness Campaigns still needed to improve community attitude towards burn injuries managements furthermore.

Outcome Evaluation of Burn Injury Management: A Study of Selective Traditional Home Remedies

“…Almost two-thirds of these occurrences occur in the WHO regions of Africa and Southeast Asia, with the majority occurring in low- and middle-income countries [ 5 ]. The observed situation is made worse by the fact that Saudi Arabia has weak burn first-aid practices and a significant prevalence of traditional home remedies [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…Almost two-thirds of these occurrences occur in the WHO regions of Africa and Southeast Asia, with the majority occurring in low-and middle-income countries [5]. The observed situation is made worse by the fact that Saudi Arabia has weak burn first-aid practices and a significant prevalence of traditional home remedies [6,7]. Saudi Arabian respondents to a study conducted in Majmaah reported having limited knowledge of first aid despite possessing bachelor's degrees and being generally well-educated [7].…”

Caregiver Perspectives on Physiotherapy Treatment for Paediatric Burns in the United Arab Emirates

“…Factors influencing caregivers during an exercise-based rehabilitation program for pediatric burn injuries must be identified. 16 The study of caregivers’ knowledge of physiotherapy, attitude towards physiotherapy, adherence to the prescribed program, and satisfaction may aid in the development of a comprehensive education program for caregivers and, as a result, improve the success of pediatric burn rehabilitation programs. The objective of this study was to determine the caregivers’ basic knowledge and attitude towards physiotherapy-related management of pediatric burns, assess the caregiver burden, and adhere to the exercise program.…”