People's Knowledge and Attitudes About Factors That Can Impact Wound Healing in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT

Background Wounds, ranging from acute to chronic, demand timely intervention to prevent complications. Infections can impede healing, leading to sepsis. Chronic wounds impact society, causing limitations in mobility and social exclusion. Early identification of infections is crucial for effective treatment, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, and improving patient outcomes. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to October 2023 in Saudi Arabia using a self-administered online questionnaire to assess wound healing knowledge and attitudes. Convenient random sampling via social media was employed to collect data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Our study predominantly featured female (67.1%), Saudi (94.8%), aged 18-25 years (42.0%), and married (51.1%) participants. Chronic illnesses were prevalent in 24.2%, with heart disease (5.7%) and hypertension (4.5%) being notable. Burn injuries (27.4%) and upper extremity wounds (40.9%) were common, prompting immediate medical care (54.1%). Internet sources (22.6%) and relatives/friends (18.4%) were key for wound care information. Participants displayed solid awareness of wound-related factors, with notable misconceptions regarding Zamzam water (44.4%) and coffee beans (39.3%). Participants prioritized stopping bleeding (41.1%) and using wound patches (42.1%) for home injuries. Age group, education, marital status, and occupation impacted knowledge about wound healing. Conclusions Our study highlights key demographics, prevalent chronic illnesses, common wound types, and crucial sources of wound care information. Participants' awareness, coupled with notable misconceptions, emphasizes the importance of tailored education. Factors such as age, education, marital status, and occupation impact knowledge about wound healing.