Preparedness for the safe use of local anesthetics among non-anesthesia healthcare professionals in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study

Background Local anesthetics are widely administered by healthcare professionals outside specialist anesthesia services. Inadequate knowledge of maximum doses, toxicity prevention, and emergency management may increase the risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Evidence regarding the preparedness of non-anesthesia healthcare professionals in Somalia remains limited. This study assessed knowledge and safety practices related to local anesthetic use and examined their associated factors among non-anesthesia healthcare professionals in Mogadishu. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 422 non-anesthesia healthcare professionals in Mogadishu, Somalia, from September 2024 to January 2025. We recruited participants using convenience sampling, and they completed a structured, self-administered electronic questionnaire. Knowledge and safety-practice scores were classified using the mean score for each domain. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. Associations were reported as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results Among the 422 participants, 78.20% were classified as having adequate knowledge, while 82.94% achieved favorable scores on the safety-practice questionnaire. Correct identification of the maximum toxic dose was higher for lidocaine (79.86%) than for mepivacaine (68.25%). Specialists had higher adjusted odds of adequate knowledge than nurses (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.15–3.66; p = 0.015). Adequate knowledge was strongly associated with favorable safety-practice scores (AOR = 12.00; 95% CI: 6.58–21.91; p < 0.001). Conclusion Although most participants demonstrated adequate knowledge and favorable responses regarding recommended safety practices, important gaps remained in knowledge of agent-specific maximum toxic doses. These findings support the need for targeted education, practical training, and accessible clinical guidance. Further research using direct observation or simulation-based assessment is needed to determine how questionnaire responses correspond to actual clinical performance.