Determinants of sepsis knowledge: a representative survey of the elderly population in Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring early diagnosis and urgent treatment. Knowledge is crucial, especially in major risk groups such as the elderly. We therefore assessed sophisticated knowledge about sepsis in the German elderly population.

Methods

A telephone survey was carried out with a representative sample of 701 Germans from 16 federal states and a separate cohort of 700 participants from Thuringia, all aged ≥ 60 years. Sepsis knowledge was assessed via a 10-item questionnaire. Sociodemographic data and health information sources were assessed to identify determinants of sepsis knowledge.

Results

Of the participants, 88.6% had heard the term "sepsis" before; however, 50% of these failed to define sepsis correctly. Even if the kno

SUBMITTER: Eitze S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6204268 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature