Knowledge, Behavior and Practice Toward Paediatric Tonsillectomy Among Parents in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia (2020)

Background: Tonsillectomy is defined as the surgical excision of the palatine tonsils. Tonsillectomy is performed less often than it once was, but it is still among the most common surgical procedures performed in children in the United States. In 1959, 1.4 million tonsillectomies were performed in the United States. This number had dropped to 260,000 by 1987, when it was the 24th most common indication for hospital admission. Methods: Data were collected from participants using an electronic pre-structured questionnaire. The researchers developed the questionnaire with the help of field experts and after intensive literature review. The tool was reviewed using a panel of 3 experts for validation and applicability. The questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms by the researchers and their friends during the period from 1st June 2020 till 30th of December-2020. Convenience sampling method was used. Results: Out of a total 239 respondents the mean (SD) age of the respondents was 32.71(10.71). 65% were fathers and 35% were mothers. From the data we observed that 15.5% of the children of the respondents had passed through the tonsillectomy process. Conclusion: The educational level and socioeconomic status of the parents were the key factors associated with these positive behaviors. These results indicate that conducting educational programs on tonsillectomy can be beneficial.