Demographic Information
This study included 888 individuals in the Saudi community during November 2018. Most of them were female (624, 70.3%). An additional table file shows this in more detail (see Additional file 1).
Table 1. Age characteristics of the respondents
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
18-29
|
359
|
40.4
|
30-39
|
207
|
23.3
|
40-49
|
150
|
16.9
|
50 or more
|
172
|
19.4
|
Total
|
888
|
100.0
|
Age distribution of the respondents is shown with the majority aged 18–29 years (359, 40.4%) (Table 1).
Regarding education level among the respondents, most (575, 64.8%) had a bachelor’s degree. An additional table file shows this in more detail (see Additional file 2).
Regarding jobs among the respondents, 234 (26.4%) were students, and 249 (28.0%) worked in the government sector, while 215 (24.2%) were homemakers or unemployed. An additional table file shows this in more detail (see Additional file 3).
Regarding type of job among the respondents, 286 (32.2%) had an office job, and 160 (18.0%) worked in the medical field. An additional table file shows this in more detail (see Additional file4).
Table 2. Question: Do you or your acquaintances have a history of chemical eye injury?
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Yes (self)
|
74
|
8.3
|
Yes (close friend or family member)
|
64
|
7.2
|
No
|
750
|
84.5
|
Total
|
888
|
100
|
A total of 399 (44.9%) respondents selected “not applicable” or “other,” because they were either students or did not have a job, or because of the nature of their work. In our study, 72 (8.1%) respondents had a history of chemical eye injury, including minor food-related injury, such as hot sauce or cooking oil splash. Moreover, 64 (7.2%) respondents had a close friend or family member who experienced a chemical eye injury, including minor food-related injury (Table 2).
Knowledge related to chemical eye injuries
Table 3. Answers to questions and statements testing the knowledge related to chemical eye injuries
Statement: chemical injury can cause ocular complications
|
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Agree
|
784
|
88.3
|
Disagree
|
14
|
1.6
|
Don't know
|
90
|
10.1
|
Total
|
888
|
100.0
|
Question: what should be the first corrective action when a chemical injury occurs?
|
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Wash with plenty of water
|
655
|
73.8
|
Wash with little of water
|
42
|
4.7
|
Cover the eye
|
5
|
0.6
|
Go to Emergency Department
|
164
|
18.5
|
Pharmacy and Eye Drops
|
11
|
1.2
|
Other
|
11
|
1.2
|
Total
|
888
|
100.0
|
Statement: alkaline injuries are more dangerous than acidic injuries
|
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Agree
|
491
|
55.3
|
Disagree
|
140
|
15.8
|
Don't Know
|
257
|
28.9
|
Total
|
888
|
100.0
|
Statement: locate and remove particles in the eye in case of chemical injury
|
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Agree
|
552
|
62.2
|
Disagree
|
153
|
17.2
|
Don't know
|
183
|
20.6
|
Total
|
888
|
100.0
|
Statement: when injured with acidic material, wash with alkaline solution
|
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Agree
|
75
|
8.4
|
Disagree
|
353
|
39.8
|
Don't know
|
460
|
51.8
|
Total
|
888
|
100.0
|
Statement: when injured with alkaline material, wash with acid solution
|
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Agree
|
60
|
6.8
|
Disagree
|
404
|
45.5
|
Don't know
|
424
|
47.7
|
Total
|
888
|
100.0
|
In total, 784 (88.3%) respondents agreed that chemical substances can cause eye complications (Table 3). Regarding the first corrective action in case of chemical eye injury, majority of the respondents (697, 78.5%) said that washing the eye with water should be the first action; of these 697 respondents, 655 (73.8%) said that washing the eye with plenty of water should be performed, and 42 (4.7%) said that washing the eye with little water was appropriate. In contrast, 164 (18.5%) respondents said that going to the emergency department should be the first corrective action (Table 3).
Regarding whether alkaline injuries are more dangerous than acidic injuries, 491 (55.3%) respondents agreed, 140 (15.8%) disagreed, and 257 (28.9%) did not know (Table 3). Regarding whether particles should be located and removed in case of chemical injury, 552 (62.2%) respondents agreed (Table 3). Regarding whether an eye injured with an acidic substance should be washed with an alkaline solution, 75 (8.4%) respondents agreed, 353 (39.8%) disagreed, and 460 (51.8%) did not know (Table 3). Regarding whether an eye injured with an alkaline substance should be washed with an acidic solution, 60 (6.8%) respondents agreed, 404 (45.5%) disagreed, and 424 (47.7%) did not know (Table 3).