ABSTRACT
Background: high altitude illness [HAI] refers to a number of acute syndromes that may take place in individuals who are not acclimatized to high altitude, including acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema and high altitude cerebral edema. Awareness of the general population about the manifestations and risk factors of high altitude illness may enhance the recognition of patients and ensure adequate management of acute cases
Objective: this study was carried out to assess the awareness of general population of Albaha city regarding high altitude and related illnesses
Methods: this questionnaire was distributed among the general public in Albaha city, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of two sections: section 1 included personal data and section 2 was concerned with awareness and knowledge of people regarding high altitude illness. Only completed questionnaires without missing data were statistically analyzed
Results: a high frequency of the participants identified the risk factors contributing to HAI including ascending too quickly, overexertion, dehydration and sleeping at high altitude. On the other hand, participants had some false believes about the risk factors, the gravity of the illness and the lowest level of altitude at which manifestations may develop. Only 30.1% identified the lowest altitude at which HAI can occur. About one third of the subjects had symptoms of HAI in the form of difficulty in breathing, exhaustion, headache, weakness and difficulty in sleeping
Conclusion: overall, respondents were interested in learning more about high altitude sickness. Physicians and the internet were the most attractive sources of information for this population