RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The effective functioning of emergency departments (EDs) is essential for providing timely and appropriate medical care to patients with acute health issues. Triage, a critical aspect of ED operations, involves prioritizing patients based on the severity of their conditions. However, patients' understanding of the triage system plays a significant role in ensuring its efficient utilization. This study aims to examine the community's understanding of the triage system and the influencing factors. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study included 775 participants from the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia, all of whom had prior visits to the ED during their lifetime. The data was randomly collected between June and July 2023 through a self-administered online questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed that a substantial number of participants (73.8%) were aware of why some patients are prioritized over others in terms of room allocation, while 26.2% lacked this awareness. Among those aware, the majority (80.5%) believed that the priority system is fair, while 19.5% disagreed. Roughly two-thirds (64.8%) of the participants understood the concept of triage, while 35.2% lacked knowledge in this regard. The history of ED visits, age, and highest level of education were significantly associated with knowledge (p < 0.001). Participants who had a history of ED visits, were aged 20-29 years, and had a bachelor's degree had the highest percentage of adequate knowledge. The study also found that the most common reasons for non-urgent visits to the ED were the unavailability of appointments elsewhere (35%) and the perception that the ED provides faster care (30.4%). CONCLUSION: The study's assessment of triage knowledge reveals a moderate understanding among participants, with a majority demonstrating awareness of the prioritization system. The associations identified between demographic factors and triage knowledge highlight the importance of tailoring educational initiatives to specific groups. Individuals who visited the ED frequently and those who sought prior care exhibited better triage knowledge, suggesting potential opportunities for targeted interventions.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a vital medical intervention for treating various conditions. The preferred methods, i.e., bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, have saved lives and attracted attention. Saudi Arabia, with a high sickle cell disease and leukemia incidence, faces the challenge of matching donors for HSCT. Factors like knowledge, attitudes, cultural beliefs, and access to information impact donation decisions. METHODS: In May 2023, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia, targeting the general population. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, analyzing demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and factors influencing donation intention. RESULTS: Demographic analysis showed that females, younger individuals (18-25 years), those with higher education, and healthcare workers had better knowledge. Attitudes toward donation varied: 42.4% were willing to donate, while 57.6% were not. Psychological barriers, health concerns, pain, and inadequate knowledge influenced donation reluctance. Of the participants, 3.5% were registered stem cell donors, with 58.8% expressing willingness but not registered. Donors' intent was influenced by family members' need for transplants and knowledge. A majority (56.6%) supported employer support for health programs, while 65.7% believed government funding should assist donors. CONCLUSION: HSCT is vital in treating diseases like sickle cell and leukemia in Saudi Arabia. While many recognize its importance, knowledge gaps about its specifics and donation deter potential donors. Enhanced awareness campaigns and support from employers and the government could increase donor registrations.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Self-medication is vital to public health because it has an impact on people's health and the current healthcare system, both positively and negatively. During public health catastrophes like the COVID-19 disease, this is particularly true. AIM: This study aimed to examine the behavioral response of the community with regard to self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: During the COVID-19 outbreak from March to September 2020, a cross-sectional online survey of 398 participants using structured questionnaires was conducted to observe knowledge, prevalence, patterns, and sources of self-medication among the respondents in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: The percentage of respondents who had heard about self-medication was 50.5%, and those who practiced self-medication during COVID-19 were 43.7% of the respondents. Regarding knowledge, 60.3% had a low overall knowledge level versus 39.7% who had a high knowledge level. Most of those who practiced self-medication took medication based on their own decision (34.4%). The most frequently used drugs during the outbreak were analgesics (43.5%) and vitamins (24.9%). Only 1% of participants reported using anti-malaria drugs (hydroxychloroquine). The most common reasons for self-medication practices were having a mild illness (30.4%), followed by fear of infection (26.6%). The symptoms for which the respondents took self-medication were headache (29.6%), cough (26.6%), and fever (24.6%). CONCLUSION: Our investigation showed a low level of knowledge about self-medication and a considerable level of self-medication practices. Therefore, self-medication may be minimized with ongoing awareness-raising and sensitization.
