Ocular injury first aid knowledge among primary school teachers in Qassim province: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Ocular injuries, a leading cause of monocular blindness, can be prevented through appropriate protective measures. This study evaluates the current state of knowledge and practices among primary school teachers in Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of first aid in ocular injury prevention. To assess knowledge and practices regarding ocular injuries and first aid among primary school teachers in Qassim province, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2023 in public schools across the Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed teachers’ knowledge and practices about ocular injuries first aid. Out of 986 teachers surveyed (99.6% response rate), 67.3% reported encountering ocular injuries in students. The most common injuries were eye trauma (62.5%) and foreign bodies (15.90%). The study revealed gaps in knowledge and preparedness, particularly in managing chemical burns, lacerations, and scratched eyes. Only 53.5% sought medical help in ocular emergencies, while a notable proportion needed more awareness of appropriate first aid measures. The study reveals a significant gap in Qassim Province primary schoolteachers’ knowledge of ocular injury first aid, necessitating urgent educational interventions to improve the handling of eye injuries. It emphasizes incorporating eye injury first aid into ongoing professional development, ensuring schoolteachers are prepared to effectively manage such potentially vision-threatening situations.