Knowledge and attitudes toward sport-related concussion among coaches and athletes in Middle East and North Africa region: Preliminary results

The aim of the study is to utilize the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS) with adults in the middle east and north Africa (MENA) to examine the knowledge and attitudes of adult athletes and coaches participating in any sports using exploratory cross-sectional study design. Independent sample t-testes, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis were utilized. The responses were collected from 253 participants (Athletes = 200; Coaches = 53). Among athletes, CKI was significantly different between genders ( p  = 0.002), athletic level ( p  = 0.023), and sport type ( p  = 0.007). For athletes, age groups significantly differed in CAI scores ( p  = 0.031) and athletic level ( p  = 0.01). For coaches, both CKI and CAI were significantly different between age groups ( p  = 0.025 & p  = 0.04). Having a diploma or bachelor's degree was a significant predictor of decreased CKI (B = -5.27, p  = 0.005 & B = -3.19, p  = 0.003, respectively). In coaches, having 6–10 years of experience (B = 6.48, p  = 0.036) or >15 years of experience (B = 10.73, p  = 0.008) were significant predictors of increased CKI scores. In conclusion, athletes and coaches in MENA appear to have the basic foundational knowledge of SRC and some degree of safe attitude toward SRC. In coaches, years of experience were predictor of sport-related concussion (SRC) knowledge and attitude. Tailored awareness is needed for athletes and coaches across different sports in MENA to improve their recognition and management of SRC.