EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF GENERAL POPULATION TOWARDS EPISTAXIS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Introduction: epistaxis is acute bleeding from the nasopharynx or the nose. Epistaxis is a common problem and it ranges from mild to severe bleeding, also it considers as life-threatening rhinological emergency. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards epistaxis in Saudi population. Methodology: A cross-sectional study based on questionnaire distributed randomly on 600 Saudi participants in the period from November to December 2018. The data was collected using excel sheet and analysis was performed by using SPSS. Results: 600 Saudi participants filled the questionnaires, the vast majority of participants 200(33.3%) were between 20 -30 years old. About half of the patients were female and other half males. 110 participants (18.3) had epistaxis the vast majority don't know either chronic diseases or medication are risk factors for epistaxis (82%) and (74%) respectively. Almost two-third of participants believe that dealing with nose and environmental factors are rise factors for epistaxis (66% and 68%) respectively. Regarding stopping bleeding (77.7%) said compression on the nose will stop bleeding. Conclusion: knowledge of participants about epistaxis management was acceptable among Saudi populations. We suggest filling the gap to increase the public campaigns to increase the level of awareness among general population.