Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Saudi teachers regarding their role in anaphylaxis management in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Saudi teachers regarding their role in managing anaphylaxis in the Makkah region. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 677 teachers from public and private schools in Makkah between 2023 and 2024, utilizing convenience sampling. Results: The surveyed teachers, aged 23 to 60 years with a mean age of 44.1 ± 11.9 years, comprised 50.7% males. Most held bachelor's degrees (81.7%), with 9.5% had diploma and 8.9% post-graduate degrees. Regarding teaching phases, 36.3% focused on primary, 33.4% on intermediate, and 30.3% on secondary school levels. The majority (59.7%) had over 15 years of teaching experience, while 22.3% had 11-15 years, and 18% had 1-10 years. Findings indicated limited overall knowledge (15.1%) among teachers, with only 17.3% being familiar with epinephrine as a treatment. However, 93.1% believed educational lectures on anaphylaxis were necessary for school staff. Notably, 28.8% of teachers were aware of students suffering from anaphylaxis. Conclusion: The study underscored a gap in teachers' knowledge and practices concerning anaphylaxis management, despite a positive attitude. Given these insights, targeted interventions are crucial to improving teachers' understanding of anaphylaxis and their role in addressing it effectively.