Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Burn First Aid in Palestine: A Community-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Burn injuries are a major cause of trauma, often leading to serious health, social, functional, and psychological complications. They account for a substantial proportion of hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality. Objective: This study aimed to assess the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to burn first aid within the Palestinian community. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 403 participants from the West Bank using an online questionnaire. The survey collected socio-demographic information and assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding burn first aid. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Results: The majority of participants were female (76.9%), aged 20–29 years (52.9%), held a bachelor's degree (46.7%), and were unemployed (43.9%). About 59.8% demonstrated good knowledge of burn first aid, 59.6% had positive attitudes, and 92.3% recognized its importance. Regarding practices, 57.7% reported appropriate first aid responses based on basic principles. Statistically significant correlations were found among knowledge, attitude, and practice scores (r = 0.38–0.47, p < 0.001). Positive associations were also observed with age, education level, marital status, healthcare employment, and previous training in burn first aid (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings reveal moderate levels of knowledge, generally positive attitudes, and varied practices regarding burn first aid. These outcomes are influenced by demographic and educational factors. The presence of misconceptions and inconsistent practices highlight the need for culturally relevant education and standardized training programs to improve community response and outcomes in burn care.

Keywords: Burn first aid, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Caregivers

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/119-05

Publication date: May 30th 2025