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Alsaleem HN, Almuzaini AS, Aldakheel FN, Almuhaisni R, Alsharekh NA, Alharkan MK, Aldakhil LN, Aljudayi AS, Alkhalifah KA, Altuwaiyan AF, Alsaleemi AY. Knowledge and Preparedness of Physicians in Relation to Anaphylaxis at Primary Healthcare Centers in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2024; 16:e57153. [PMID: 38681453 PMCID: PMC11055982 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Anaphylaxis is a significant, often fatal, systemic allergic reaction with a rapid start that may affect the respiratory and/or circulatory systems; for patients to survive, emergency management must be done properly. When anaphylaxis is confirmed or highly suspected, epinephrine should be injected intramuscularly. This study aimed to assess the preparedness of primary healthcare physicians for anaphylaxis in terms of recognition and management of this condition in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out among primary healthcare physicians in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the targeted physicians. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic characteristics, general awareness and management of anaphylaxis, and a 10-item questionnaire to assess physicians' knowledge of anaphylaxis. Results Out of 121 primary healthcare physicians, 61.2% were male, and 47.9% were aged between 25 and 35 years. Nearly all physicians (97.5%) believed that anaphylaxis is a life-threatening situation. The overall mean knowledge score was 4.74 out of 10 points. Nearly half (48.8%) were categorized as having poor knowledge levels, 43% as moderate, and only 8.3% as having good knowledge. Being specialists/consultants and being trained in managing anaphylaxis were the factors associated with increased knowledge. Conclusion The knowledge of primary care physicians regarding anaphylaxis was deficient. However, increased knowledge of anaphylaxis was seen more frequently among consultants or specialists who attended training for managing anaphylaxis cases. A multi-center study involving a bigger sample size is needed to establish physicians' knowledge of anaphylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fai N Aldakheel
- Medicine, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, SAU
| | | | | | | | - Lama N Aldakhil
- Medicine, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, SAU
| | | | | | | | - Ali Y Alsaleemi
- Allergy and Immunology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, SAU
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Chang YS. Asia Pacific Allergy: Asia Pacific and beyond. Asia Pac Allergy 2022; 12:e46. [DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2022.12.e46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Seok Chang
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13620, Korea
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