Caregivers’ Role in Identifying and Providing First Aid Management of Foreign Body Ingestion and Inhalation among Children in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Foreign body (FB) ingestion and inhalation are common and life-threatening emergencies in children, often requiring immediate medical attention. These incidents are preventable with proper caregiver education. This study aims to assess caregivers’ knowledge and practices in identifying and managing FB ingestion and inhalation among children in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to September 2024, including 526 caregivers of children under five. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed through social media. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic data, knowledge, and first-aid practices regarding FB incidents. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.0. Results: Of the 526 participants, 78.9% were female, and 75.1% were knowledgeable about first aid for choking. A significant portion (61.6%) had witnessed a child choke on a foreign object. The most common first-aid response was hitting the back or stomach (61.6%), with 50.4% successfully saving the child. Notably, 97.3% of caregivers acknowledged the risk of children choking on foreign objects, with batteries identified as the most dangerous item. Conclusion: The study highlights gaps in caregivers’ knowledge, particularly in symptom recognition and immediate first-aid response. Enhancing first-aid education through targeted training and public awareness campaigns is crucial to improving outcomes in FB ingestion and inhalation cases among children.