Factors associated with parental knowledge and attitudes toward pediatric concussions in Korea

DongWon Son; Ki Ok Ahn; Hang A Park; Ju Ok Park

doi:10.15441/ceem.23.155

Clin Exp Emerg Med > Accepted Articles

Original Article

doi: https://doi.org/10.15441/ceem.23.155 [Accepted]

Factors associated with parental knowledge and attitudes toward pediatric concussions in Korea

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang, Korea
²Department of Emergency Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
³Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, Korea

Correspondence Ki Ok Ahn Tel: +82-10-9152-5955, Fax: +82-31-810-7014, Email: arendt75@hanyang.ac.kr

Received: October 20, 2023. Revised: February 17, 2024. Accepted: February 23, 2024. Published online: March 15, 2024.

ABSTRACT

Objective
This study investigated the status and evaluated factors associated with knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric concussions among Korean parents of children aged 6 to 18 years.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was employed to collect data from a panel of parents in Korea in 2023. To assess knowledge and attitudes regarding concussions, participants completed a validated questionnaire. The outcome variables of total knowledge score (range, 0–30) and total attitude score (range, 7–49) were categorized into tertiles. We conducted multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses with participants and their children based on demographic information and characteristics as covariates.
Results
A total of 260 parents responded to the survey and demonstrated moderate concussion-related knowledge (median total score, 21; interquartile range [IQR], 18–22.5). The respondents exhibited favorable attitudes toward concussions (median total score, 39; IQR, 34–43). Multivariate ordinal regression analysis for outcomes revealed only career of healthcare provider (adjusted odds ratio, 3.15; 95% confidence interval , 1.13–8.75) to be associated with parental concussion-related knowledge. No factors exhibited a significant association with concussion-related parental attitudes.
Conclusion
Our results confirmed the knowledge-attitude gap regarding pediatric concussions among Korean parents. Novel strategies are warranted to improve parental knowledge and attitudes.

Keywords: Pediatric concussion; Knowledge; Attitude; Parents