PARENTAL AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF FOREIGN BODY INHALATION IN CHILDREN

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Foreign body aspiration is a critical medical emergency in children.
• Delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe, life-threatening complications.
• Public awareness and caregiver education are vital for prevention and timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess parental knowledge regarding the risks associated with foreign body aspiration in young children.
• To identify gaps in parental understanding of symptoms and appropriate first aid for foreign body aspiration.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study design was employed.
• A 14-question survey was administered to parents of children under five years old.
• Data collection occurred during routine pediatric check-ups.

Main Results:

• Most parents recognized foreign body aspiration as life-threatening and identified common objects.
• A significant deficit exists in parental knowledge of aspiration symptoms (36.9% aware, 15.6% fully accurate).
• First aid knowledge was critically low, with only 2% providing accurate responses regarding the correct course of action.

Conclusions:

• Parents require enhanced education on recognizing foreign body aspiration symptoms and administering first aid.
• Online resources and media campaigns can effectively disseminate crucial educational information.
• Improving parental awareness is essential to mitigate the risks of foreign body aspiration in children.