Public Awareness of the Need to Call the Emergency Medical Services Following the Onset of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Associated Factors in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Acute Myocardial Infarction is usually a complication of an ongoing atherosclerotic pathophysiological process inside the distribution of the coronary arterial supply. For many years, acute myocardial infarction has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide. One of the major complications of acute myocardial infarction is the event of “cardiac arrest”. However, with an early approach to emergency medical services and early seeking of healthcare, the potential mortality chance can be reduced. Despite the significance of the situation and its vulnerability, delays in approaching emergency medical services exist due to variable influences. This study had investigated the reasons behind the delays and the awareness of the general public on acute myocardial infarction and its associated symptoms. Methods:  This study is a cross-sectional type of research that was conducted in October 2021 through November 2021 period that invited 427 participants through social media platforms. Results: The online questionnaire was distributed and administered by 427 subjects. The mean age of the participants was (27.62 years, SD=11.692) with a minimum age of 18 years and a maximum age of 89 years. The majority of the study participants were females (n=237, 55.5%), of those who called during the daytime, 97.4% of them have mentioned that they would call the EMS directly but when investigated about the time to wait before calling EMS, 55.3% of the participants who chose to call during the daytime would call in less than an hour. Conclusion: For initiating public campaigns and providing the public with the consequences of an ignored myocardial infarction and the potential mortality that could be associated with delaying the emergency medicine services approach.