ASSESSMENT OF FIRST AID MANAGEMENT OF EPISTAXIS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Epistaxis is the most common ear, nose and throat complaint presenting to an emergency department worldwide, which is defined as a bleeding from inside the nose or nasal cavity. A vast majority of these patients settle with simple standard first aid measures. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitude regarding first aid management of epistaxis among health-related specialties students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken among medical specialties students in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using an online questionnaire tool, with sum of 24 questions. Results: Data was collected from 314 medical specialties students between January and October 2018 by using questionnaires, which were filled electronically. 205 (65.3%) were male and 109 (34.7%) were female. Their age ranged between 18 and 26 years with a mean of 21.71±1.56 years. Only 131 (41.7%) had received a first aid provider certificate. The medical students were the most respondents (52.2%) while (47.8%) were other medical specialties. Majority of the respondents were forth year students. 167(83.1%) respondents said that a nosebleed couldn’t be stopped after 10 to 20 minutes of direct pressure is one of the commonest causes to seek for emergency care. The commonest first aid measures reported to be known by respondents when the patients get shocked, were Pinching the nose (86.3%), Nasal packing (78.9%), Putting the patient in supine position with the head lowered (59.8%), giving Anti shock treatment (56.6%) and Putting the patient in supine position with the head backward (42.3%).Regarding the attitude toward the first aid management of epistaxis. The majority (39.4%) of the respondents demonstrate the correct position which is holding the head forward rather than backward. 61.5% of respondents demonstrated the correct site for pinching the nose (soft part), While 38.5% of the respondents demonstrated the incorrect site (bony part). The main source of the respondents’ knowledge regarding first aid management of epistaxis was Medical Curriculum (31.2%) followed by the Self-taught (23.2%). Conclusion: The level of Knowledge and attitude regarding first aid management of epistaxis was good among most of the students. Health related specialties students have adequate knowledge on the standard first aid measures of epistaxis. Keywords: Epistaxis, First Aid, Health Related Specialties Students