Knowledge of foreign-body aspiration in children among caregivers in Kano Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Foreign-body aspiration (FBA) remains a life-threatening condition that is a frequent cause of accidental death in children below the age of 5 years worldwide. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge of FBA in children among caregivers and to determine the sociodemographic factors affecting their knowledge. Settings and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study design that was carried out at the pediatric outpatient department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Methodology: Institutional ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of the same hospital. Using systematic sampling technique, all data collected using a semi-structured questionnaire was analyzed with Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23 and statistical significance was set at value of P Results: A total of 266 participants were recruited for this study. Forty percent were within the age group of 25–34 years, predominantly females (63.9%), majority (81.6%) were of the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group, most (83%) were married and 86.3% had formal education. In general, there was good knowledge (68.4%) of FBA to be more in children, but only 13.9% knew that toys and other nonfood materials as potential objects of aspiration by children and 47.4% knew that they should not give groundnuts/seeds or small toys to children Conclusion: Although there was good knowledge that FBA occurs more in children, there was very poor knowledge about potential objects of aspiration that are not food substances. Therefore, different strategies in creating awareness through proper health education on the dangers of FBA should be adequately explored.