Parental perception of childhood poisoning of household consumer products in Saudi Arabia

• Published in: Toxicology communications Vol. 9; no. 1
• Main Authors: Kadasa, Athoub Nasser, Altirkistani, Bsaim Abdulsalam, Kalantan, Mulham Ahmed, Alshubaili, Yasmen Ahmed, Shaheen, Yasmenah Ahmed, Alkhulifi, Norah Abdulrahman, Abuzenada, Maha Adnan, Nahari, Maher Hassan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 31.12.2025
• Subjects: children; pesticides; Poisoning; prevention
• ISSN: 2473-4306; 2473-4306
• DOI: 10.1080/24734306.2025.2545717

Introduction Childhood poisoning is a significant public health issue and frequently serves as a reason for emergency room admissions. Given the critical role of country-specific epidemiological surveillance, this study aimed to review parental perception of childhood poisoning within the home in Saudi Arabia.Methods This cross-sectional study included parents from diverse regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Convenience sampling was used. Categorical variables are presented as numbers (percentages), whereas numerical variables are expressed as means and standard deviations.Results Of the 1,997 parents included in this study, 26% believed that pesticides were the most common cause of childhood poisoning, followed by bleaching products (19%). Moreover, 51% of the parents believed that the most significant risk factor for childhood poisoning was inappropriate storage of poisonous substances. Furthermore, many parents (45%) stated that their lack of awareness of these situations was due to the inadequate interest of community members in learning more.Conclusion Various factors, including common causes and risk factors, influence parental perceptions of childhood poisoning. It is crucial to address this issue and enhance awareness of childhood poisoning among parents, as this subject is considered a cornerstone of children’s well-being.