Reem Issa¹ , Dima Albals², Moawiah Khatatbeh³, Osama Alshari⁴, Saafan Al-Safi⁵

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the knowledge and awareness of the Jordanian public about the hazards associated with high levels of exposure to acetone-containing products. Methods: The study was conducted between September 2019 and December 2020. An electronic anonymous questionnaire was distributed via different channels to be self-completed by the study population. Socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about acetone-containing nail polish removers and sterilizing products, and awareness about the risk of ketoacidosis associated with high degree of exposure to these products, were assessed. Results: The findings revealed that a majority of participants were aware of the presence of acetone in nail polish removers (92.61 %) and sterilizing products (84.41 %), regardless of gender, age, educational type and educational level. In addition, females (70.4 or 83.0 %), youngest age group (70.7 or 83.0 %), those with health-related education (56.6 or 76.0 %), and graduates (72.0 or 83.9 %) were significantly (p < 0.05) more aware about the safety of these products if inhaled or exposed to flame sources, respectively, than their peers. Moreover, concerning the risks of developing ketoacidosis and raised liver ketone levels as hazards associated with the high degree of exposure to acetone-containing products, females (44.2, 41.9 and 50.6 %), those with health-related education (64.1, 63.4 and 73.3 %), youngest age group (47.4, 44.6 and 56.5 %), and graduates (45.3, 43.5 and 52.8 %), respectively, were significantly more aware than the others (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate signs of significantly poor awareness about the serious risks associated with acetone-caused ketoacidosis among the study population. Therefore, well-organized educational campaigns are needed to enlighten graduates with health-related education and to improve public perception of the health hazards associated with human exposure to acetone-containing products.