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Original Article
Online Published: 25 Jun 2025
 


Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Dimah Alnowaiser, Fay Aldossari, Muath Albalawi, Sarah Alrayya, Ibrahim Alghannam, Tahani Alshammari, Hanin Alsuwailem, Tahani Albohairy, Yara Algoraini.


Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the factors influencing parental decision-making in pediatric emergency department (ED) visits for non-urgent conditions, identify gaps in primary healthcare centers (PHCs) utilization, and assess opportunities to redirect care toward more appropriate settings.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and April 2024 among parents or guardians of pediatric patients presenting at the Pediatric ED of King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for non-urgent conditions. Urgent cases were defined as those triaged as Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) system levels 1-2, while non-urgent cases corresponded to CTAS levels 3-4.
Results: Out of a total of 1,040 participants, most children were aged 1-5 years (n = 456, 43.89%), followed by 6-10 years (n = 236, 22.71%). Fever was the main reason for presentation to the ED (n = 524, 50.43%), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (n = 186, 17.9%). The most common frequency of ED visits in the preceding year was two visits (n = 327, 31.44%). Most participants (n = 698, 67.08%) did not visit a PHC to address their current conditions. Further, 67% did not seek PHC, and 69% lacked a regular pediatrician. The primary driver was perceived to have a shorter wait time (36%). Findings highlight barriers to PHC access and underscore the need for targeted interventions.
Conclusion: This study highlighted the factors driving pediatric ED use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Limited access to primary care services, along with a lack of trust and awareness, emerged as significant barriers to appropriate service utilization.

Key words: Pediatric emergency department, parental perceptions, non-urgent visits, Saudi Arabia, primary healthcare center


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alnowaiser D, Aldossari F, Albalawi M, Alrayya S, Alghannam I, Alshammari T, Alsuwailem H, Albohairy T, Algoraini Y. Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. 2025; 9(6): 1365-1374. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671

Web Style

Alnowaiser D, Aldossari F, Albalawi M, Alrayya S, Alghannam I, Alshammari T, Alsuwailem H, Albohairy T, Algoraini Y. Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=260519 [Access: October 14, 2025]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alnowaiser D, Aldossari F, Albalawi M, Alrayya S, Alghannam I, Alshammari T, Alsuwailem H, Albohairy T, Algoraini Y. Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. 2025; 9(6): 1365-1374. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alnowaiser D, Aldossari F, Albalawi M, Alrayya S, Alghannam I, Alshammari T, Alsuwailem H, Albohairy T, Algoraini Y. Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. (2025), [cited October 14, 2025]; 9(6): 1365-1374. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671


Harvard Style

Alnowaiser, D., Aldossari, . F., Albalawi, . M., Alrayya, . S., Alghannam, . I., Alshammari, . T., Alsuwailem, . H., Albohairy, . T. & Algoraini, . Y. (2025) Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC, 9 (6), 1365-1374. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671


Turabian Style

Alnowaiser, Dimah, Fay Aldossari, Muath Albalawi, Sarah Alrayya, Ibrahim Alghannam, Tahani Alshammari, Hanin Alsuwailem, Tahani Albohairy, and Yara Algoraini. 2025. Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (6), 1365-1374. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671


Chicago Style

Alnowaiser, Dimah, Fay Aldossari, Muath Albalawi, Sarah Alrayya, Ibrahim Alghannam, Tahani Alshammari, Hanin Alsuwailem, Tahani Albohairy, and Yara Algoraini. "Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9 (2025), 1365-1374. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alnowaiser, Dimah, Fay Aldossari, Muath Albalawi, Sarah Alrayya, Ibrahim Alghannam, Tahani Alshammari, Hanin Alsuwailem, Tahani Albohairy, and Yara Algoraini. "Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9.6 (2025), 1365-1374. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alnowaiser, D., Aldossari, . F., Albalawi, . M., Alrayya, . S., Alghannam, . I., Alshammari, . T., Alsuwailem, . H., Albohairy, . T. & Algoraini, . Y. (2025) Parental perspectives on pediatric emergency department use in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (6), 1365-1374. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1748157671




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