Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Physicians and Nurses on the Initial Management of Acute Poisoning: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Acute poisoning is a significant public health issue that requires prompt initial management. Healthcare providers often have limited knowledge of managing poisoning.Aim of the work: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare providers regarding the initial management of acute poisoning at Mansoura Emergency Hospital and Mansoura General Hospital in Egypt. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to August 31, 2024, involving 440 healthcare providers, comprising 269 doctors and 171 nurses. A validated English/Arabic questionnaire with excellent content validity and high internal consistency was used. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.7±5.7 years, with 55.7% being female. Only 52.5% of participants had received previous training in poisoning management. Healthcare providers aged under 30 years had significantly higher knowledge scores (p<0.001). Nurses had higher knowledge scores compared to physicians (p=0.037), while physicians exhibited better attitude scores (p=0.005). Intensive care unit staff had better practice scores than staff in other departments (p=0.019). The duration of employment and the medical specialty were significant independent predictors of knowledge scores (p<0.001). Previous training in poisoning management was a significant predictor (p<0.001) of both higher attitude and practice scores. Conclusion: This study revealed significant variations in healthcare providers' KAP concerning managing acute poisoning. Regular toxicology training can significantly improve the quality of poisoning management. Continuous medical education and practical workshops are recommended to increase the competency of healthcare providers in managing cases of acute poisoning.