Jellyfish sting and first aid knowledge among 6th-9thgrade students in Koh Mak, Koh Kood, and Koh Chang, Trat Province, Thailand

Background:  Injuries from jellyfish are an important public issue. Students are both potential victims and victim-helpers. Objectives:  This study aims to investigate the knowledge of jellyfish stings and first aid management in 6th-9th grade students living on three islands in Trat, Thailand. Materials and Methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a questionnaire distributed to all 6th-9th grade students living on these islands. Relationship between total knowledge score and independent variables were assessed by Fisher’s exact test and multiple logistic regression. Results:  Of the three islands students from Koh Kood had the highest knowledge (75.27%), followed by students from Koh Chang (59.44%).  None of the students from Koh Mak had adequate total knowledge. By class, students from the 9th grade had the highest knowledge (74.47%), followed by 8th, 7th, and 6th grade respectively (63.54%, 62.96%, 53.12%).  Female students (67.14%) had a higher total knowledge when compared to males (57.66%).  One hundred and fifty-one students (70.89%) who visited the beach 1-2 times/month had the highest total knowledge score, followed by those who visited less than once a month (60.00%), and more than twice a month (55.88%), respectively.  The relationship between students’ baseline characteristics and total knowledge score was assessed by multiple logistic regression. Ninth-grade students had 3.2 times higher knowledge compared to 6th grade students (95% CI 1.64, 6.33). Additionally, female students had 1.6 times higher knowledge compared to male students (95% CI 1.00, 2.46). Conclusions:  Koh Mak students had the least adequate knowledge on toxic jellyfish stings and first aid; therefore, we should offer more education on this subject to the students. This could be done by including this topic into the science curricula or local subjects. Information on appropriate first aid management of jellyfish via simple infographic material for students can also be provided to adults who are residents and resort operators on all three islands.  Everyone should be made aware of the severity associated with toxic jellyfish stings in order to create an effective preventive measure.