Community experience and awareness regarding foreign body aspiration in Asir region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Published in: Medicine (Baltimore) 2024-08, Vol.103 (31), p.e38869
• Main Authors: Alshaikh, Ayoub Ali, Alhelali, Abdullah, Hassan, Abdulrahim Ali, Asiri, Mohammed Yahya Althwabi, Bukhari, Lujain Khaled T, Hassan, Abduaelah Ali H, Hassan, Abeer Ali H, Alqahtani, Reem Saud H, AlQahtani, Raghad Yahya, Ghazy, Ramy Mohamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Airway Obstruction - etiology; Female; Foreign Bodies - epidemiology; Foreign Bodies - psychology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Observational Study; Respiratory Aspiration; Saudi Arabia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0025-7974; 1536-5964; 1536-5964
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038869

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a serious preventable pediatric health problem and one of the main causes of accidental death in children. Although unusual in adults, it is often overlooked as a cause of airway obstruction with serious consequences. This study assessed awareness and previous FBA experiences in the Asir community, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Using validated questionnaire, an annonymous online survey was conducted among 870 people aged 18 years and above. The questionnaire was used to collect data about the personal and sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents, as well as their experiences with FBA, and participants' knowledge and perceived seriousness of FBA. The level of knowledge was deemed good if the score ranged between 60% and 100%, and bad if the score fell below 60%The level of knowledge was deemed good if the score ranged between 60% and 100%, and bad if the score fell below 60%. The majority of the participants (79.7%) were females, 48.1% were aged 18 to 30 years, 72.9% had university degree, 30.6% were students, 26.9% worked in the educational sector, 43.6% reported monthly income of