Evaluation Of First Aid Awareness For Epistaxis Among Primary And Secondary School Teachers- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Epistaxis is a common emergency in school-aged children, yet many teachers lack adequate knowledge and skills to manage nosebleeds effectively. Prompt first-aid intervention—leaning forward, applying pressure to the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes and seeking medical care if bleeding persists—is critical to prevent complications. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of school teachers regarding epistaxis first aid and examined factors influencing knowledge levels.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Tamaka, Kolar, during August–September 2025. Primary and secondary school teachers from government and private schools were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire comprising demographic items, eight knowledge questions, attitude items and practice questions. Descriptive statistics summarised knowledge scores and demographic characteristics. Associations between demographic factors, training experiences and knowledge levels were analysed using t-tests, chi-square tests and logistic regression.

Results: A total of 557 teachers participated (mean age 24.9 ± 11.6 years, 64.3 % female). The mean knowledge score was 2.20 ± 1.36 out of eight; 84.4 % of participants had poor or moderate knowledge. No respondent answered all questions correctly, and 10.4 % scored zero. Misconceptions were common: most participants believed the head should be tilted backward and that emergency care is needed after only 10 minutes. Surprisingly, higher educational attainment was inversely related to knowledge levels, while the availability of first-aid materials in classrooms was positively associated with better knowledge. Formal training and prior experience managing nosebleeds did not significantly improve scores.

Conclusion: Despite strong support for mandatory epistaxis training, teachers demonstrated critically low competence in first-aid management of nosebleeds. These findings highlight the need for targeted, practical training programmes integrated into teacher education and continuous professional development.