Assessment and evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and practice of first aid management of epistaxis among Jazan University students: a cross-sectional study

Background: Epistaxis or nosebleed, is a common medical emergency that can occur as either anterior (internal) or exterior (external) bleeding, with anterior being more prevalent. While most episodes are minor and self-limiting, severe or recurrent cases require medical attention due to underlying factors such as infections, high blood pressure, or malignancy. The condition shows a bimodal age distribution, being frequent in children and older adults, highlighting the need for public awareness and preparedness in managing these emergencies. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based study, gathering data from a sample of 329 adults at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sampling technique was used, with questionnaires administered online to the target population. Data cleaning was performed using Excel spreadsheets, and analysis was conducted with SPSS Version 27. Results: Most of the participants 264 (80.3%) thought first aid measures are important for Epistaxis management. In terms of the position to stop Epistaxis, most of the participants 200 (60.8%) indicated that is to tilt the head forward and 192 (58.4%) indicated applying pressure on the nose can stop Epistaxis. Most of the participants 104 (31.6%) indicated the source of information regarding epistaxis management is the doctors or other healthcare studies. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of epistaxis among participants from different colleges (p = 0.001). Medical students had the highest occurrence, with 43 (43.9%) experiencing epistaxis, followed by dentistry and nursing students, each with 14 (14.3%). There is a statistically significant difference in first aid knowledge for managing epistaxis between genders (p = 0.001), with more males (134, 50.8%) having this knowledge compared to females (130, 49.2%). Conclusion: In conclusion, despite a relatively low incidence of epistaxis among the student population, a significant majority recognized the importance of first aid measures. However, there were notable differences in knowledge, particularly regarding the optimal head position for stopping bleeding. As far as practices and management of epistaxis are concerned, the students demonstrated diverse opinions, especially concerning pressure application and the required duration.