Alanazy Ahmed, Boodai Raja Saad, Alhulaybi Badiah Ibrahim, Alraihan Amenah Ibrahim, Almulhim Raghad Ahmed, Almulhim Bainah Fahad, Rajappan Suchithra K, Alruwaili Abdullah, Alanazi Ahmad
Emergency Medical Services Program, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
PLoS One. 2024 Dec 30;19(12):e0315722. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315722. eCollection 2024.
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.
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.
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.
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.
过敏反应是一种严重的、危及生命的过敏反应，需要立即用肾上腺素进行治疗。然而，全球公众的认知存在差距。为指导未来的教育工作，本研究评估了沙特阿拉伯艾哈萨地区成年人对过敏反应的认知情况。
一项横断面调查使用经过验证的问卷评估了380名成年人的知识水平。采用便利抽样法，通过在线平台收集数据。计算描述性统计数据，并进行关联性检验。我们使用SPSS软件分析数据。
知识水平不理想，平均得分为34.5/60。大多数人能识别过敏反应的定义（76.1%）和症状快速发作（78.9%在数分钟内）。但只有37.9%的人认识到肾上腺素是一线治疗药物，只有17.4%的人接受过自动注射器使用培训。近一半（48.4%）的人需要学习正确的肾上腺素自动注射器注射部位。不到一半的人理解长期避免接触过敏原的必要性。年龄较大、受教育程度较高和工作状态与得分较高相关。
本研究揭示了沙特阿拉伯艾哈萨地区成年人在过敏反应知识方面存在的关键差距。对紧急治疗和长期管理的理解不足凸显了提高公众意识的迫切需求。有针对性的教育举措必须强调及时使用肾上腺素、正确使用自动注射器以及避免接触过敏原。医疗保健专业人员、学校和政策制定者的合作努力对于通过有针对性的培训和量身定制的宣传活动提高过敏反应防范能力至关重要。这将使沙特公众能够迅速识别症状并有效应对，从这种危险的过敏反应中挽救生命。
