Knowledge and Awareness of Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactic Shock Among the General Population of the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Anaphylactic shock is a severe and acute life-threatening condition triggered by exposure to common allergens. Despite the increasing incidence of anaphylaxis worldwide, there is still a lack of awareness and understanding of anaphylaxis and its proper management. Methods A descriptive survey design was used to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of anaphylactic shock among the general population in the western region of Saudi Arabia through an online questionnaire distributed from January 2024 to June 2024. The validated questionnaire included demographic information and 18 knowledge-based questions on anaphylaxis. Results The data was collected from 501 participants in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Among them, 290 (58%) were female, and 211 (42%) were male. The largest age group was between 41 and 50 years, comprising 121 participants (24.1%). Additionally, most participants, 298 (59.4%), held a bachelor's degree. A total of 207 participants (41.3%) reported either experiencing anaphylaxis or knowing someone who had. Furthermore, 123 participants (24.5%) underwent tests for anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, with 88 (17.5%) having a blood test and 35 (7%) having a skin prick test. In terms of knowledge about anaphylaxis, 266 participants (53%) were able to accurately identify multiple symptoms, while 195 (38.9%) were uncertain about the proper diagnostic methods. Moreover, only 92 (18.4%) recognized epinephrine as the first-line treatment, and 125 (25%) knew the correct administration route (intramuscular). 216 participants (43.1%) were aware of the need to visit the ER after using epinephrine. Furthermore, the survey findings indicated that 318 participants (63.5%) acknowledged the dangerous nature of anaphylaxis, with 258 (51.5%) believing that it could be fatal. However, 228 (45.5%) remained unsure about the risk of anaphylaxis-associated organ failure. Conclusion The study highlighted the need for targeted public awareness campaigns to improve understanding and ensure early recognition and correct management of anaphylaxis.