Knowledge and attitudes of health science students and medical interns at al Al-Baha University towards epistaxis first aid.

Abstract

Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, is a common medical concern in emergency departments worldwide, often triggered by trauma, infections, allergies, and high blood pressure. Despite its frequency, there is limited research on the knowledge and attitudes of health-related students regarding the first aid management of epistaxis. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward first aid management of epistaxis among health-related specialty students at Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire. A total of 370 participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to identify significant associations. The findings revealed that over 70% of participants showed strong knowledge in identifying causes of epistaxis and applying first aid, although only 9.6% correctly differentiated between various causes of nosebleeds. Attitudes were highly positive, with 92.1% of respondents supporting training in nosebleed first aid and 85.9% recognizing epistaxis as a health priority. Significant differences in knowledge scores were observed based on age, academic year, and previous training (P < 0.05). Participants reported a median self-assessed confidence and knowledge rating of 6 on a 10-point scale. These findings underscore the need for targeted education and training in nosebleed management among healthcare students. The study highlights the need to address knowledge gaps and improve attitudes towards epistaxis first aid management among health-related specialty students at Al-Baha University in Saudi Arabia.