Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.s4.3
Parental Awareness of the Dangers of Foreign Body Inhalation in Children
Ines Begović
orcid.org/0000-0003-1172-9588
; Zagreb Emergency Medical Service, Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Mihatov Štefanović
orcid.org/0000-0002-7915-8446
; Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Hospital Centre Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia; University School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Renata Vrsalović
orcid.org/0000-0002-6700-8061
; Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Hospital Centre Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia; University School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Goran Geber
orcid.org/0000-0003-1407-9154
; Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Elvira Kereković
orcid.org/0000-0002-5383-344X
; Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Children’s Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Tara Lučev
; Department of Psychology, Kindergarten “Frfi”, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Baudoin
; Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Background: The presence of a foreign body in the airways is a life-threatening
condition and thus a medical emergency that requires timely diagnosis and treatment. If not recognized,
it can lead to a number of serious complications. It is of the utmost importance to raise public
awareness and educate parents and other caregivers on all aspects of this topic.
Methods: This observational cross-sectional study aimed to investigate parental awareness of the
dangers of foreign body aspiration. To determine the current level of knowledge of the parents, a 14-
question questionnaire was designed and filled out by parents of children under 5 years of age referred
for their regular check- ups.
Results: The results show that majority of parents know that inhaling a foreign body is a potentially
life-threatening condition and recognize which objects have a potential to cause foreign body
aspiration. 36.9% of respondents said they knew what the symptoms of foreign body aspiration were,
however only 15.6% offered a complete answer. 59.6% of the respondents could not specify the right
course of action in case FBA occurred. 2 % responded accurately. No statistically significant correlation
was found between the number of children in the family nor the age and the sex of the parents and the
level of knowledge about the aspiration of foreign bodies.
Conclusion: This study indicates that parents are insufficiently informed on recognizing foreign
body aspiration symtoms as well as providing first aid. Media-assisted campaigns and the internet are
potential sources of easily accessible educational material.
Keywords
Foreign body aspiration; Public health; Prevention; Pediatric
Hrčak ID:
292359
URI
Publication date:
31.10.2022.
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