Knowledge Levels of Physicians, Nurses, and Health Technicians Working in A Children's Hospital Regarding Anaphylaxis and Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 97 - 106, 31.05.2025

Ecem İpek Altınok , Ceren Yapar Gümüş

https://doi.org/10.19127/mbsjohs.1550914

Abstract

Objective: Anaphylaxis should be recognized and treated by physicians and healthcare workers. In our study, we aimed to determine the knowledge and education levels regarding anaphylaxis and the attitudes towards adrenaline auto-injector use among doctors, nurses, and health technicians working in the Women's and Children's Annex of Ordu University Training and Research Hospital, a tertiary healthcare institution.
Method: A 15-item questionnaire designed to assess demographic data, employment status, and knowledge level about anaphylaxis and its management was administered to the participants.
Results: The study was completed with 136 participants, including 66 physicians, 58 nurses, and 12 technicians. It was found that 75 participants had knowledge about adrenaline auto-injectors, with 9.3% having previously issued a report on auto-injectors. Physicians showed greater knowledge in correctly administering adrenaline during anaphylaxis compared to other professional groups. Healthcare workers in the emergency department demonstrated higher levels of knowledge in adrenaline administration compared to those in other units. While no significant relationship was found between professional experience and the selection of correct treatment methods in anaphylaxis, those with longer professional lives were found to have better knowledge about adrenaline administration proportionally. Another finding from our study is that participants who received training within less than 3 years had more accurate knowledge about adrenaline administration compared to others.
Conclusion: The repetition of essential training and keeping knowledge up-to-date are crucial for correct application and treatment in anaphylaxis. There is a need for organizing training sessions to increase knowledge levels and awareness, particularly among healthcare workers, including physicians.

Keywords

Anaphylaxis , Adrenaline , Auto-injector

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