Knowledge Levels of Preschool Teachers about Airway Obstruction due to Foreign Body

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate the knowledge levels of preschool teachers who work in Denizli city center in Turkey about foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO).
METHODS: The population of this cross-sectional study consists of 432 preschool teachers working in primary schools and kindergartens located in Denizli city center. Participants were administered a questionnaire that consisted of 28 questions. For each participant, the knowledge scores about FBAO were calculated. Each participant can score a minimum of 0.0 and maximum of 28.0 points.
RESULTS: For this study, 204 preschool teachers working in 27 schools were selected. The mean age of the participants was 33.5±5.3 years and 185 (98.4%) were female. Twenty-three (12.2%) of the teachers had previously come across airway obstruction due to foreign body. One hundred forty-two (76.3%) of the participants find their knowledge levels insufficient and 151 (80.7%) of them want to get educated. Teachers’ knowledge score about FBAO was 11.6±5.5. Teachers’ knowledge scores who had two and more children and those who get educated before were higher and teachers’ knowledge scores who want additional education were found to be lower (p=0.010, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The knowledge level of preschool teachers in Turkey about FBAO was low. Teachers were aware of this insufficiency and they were willing to get educated about this issue.