Syrian survey finds gaps in parents’ knowledge of children’s nosebleed first aid

A cross-sectional online survey of 643 Syrian parents found that most had moderate knowledge of first aid for childhood nosebleeds, with misconceptions about compression and head position. The convenience sample and self-reported questionnaire limit how widely the findings can be applied.

643 Syrian parents completed an online cross-sectional survey.
67.3% had moderate and 30.5% good knowledge scores.
Only 37% knew where to compress the nose.
The convenience sample may not represent all Syrian parents.

Researchers surveyed 643 Syrian parents aged 18 or older who had at least one child under 18. The cross-sectional study used a validated online questionnaire, collected between December 2025 and February 2026, to assess knowledge of epistaxis first aid and factors associated with knowledge scores. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling across Syrian regions.

Overall, 67.3% had moderate knowledge and 30.5% had good knowledge. Only 37% correctly identified the lower part of the nose as the site for compression, while 33% thought the head should be tilted backward during a nosebleed. Nearly all participants (92.8%) overestimated the amount of bleeding considered clinically significant. Physician guidance was the strongest reported predictor of higher scores; attendance at a first-aid course was not significantly associated with knowledge (p=0.16).

The findings identify educational needs in this surveyed group, but do not establish how common these knowledge gaps are among all Syrian parents. The online convenience sample may not be representative, and the study assessed questionnaire responses rather than first-aid behavior or clinical outcomes. The authors recommend structured education to address common misconceptions.

In practice

For clinicians caring for children and families, the survey suggests that some Syrian parents may hold incorrect beliefs about first aid for nosebleeds, including head position and where to apply compression. Physician guidance was associated with higher knowledge scores, but the study did not test an educational intervention or measure first-aid actions or outcomes. Because participants were recruited through an online convenience sample, findings cannot be assumed to represent all Syrian parents or other populations; they do not establish a change in clinical practice.

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Source

BMC Public Health: An assessment of parents’ knowledge regarding first aid for epistaxis among children in Syria: a cross-sectional survey study ↗

This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.