Lack of altitude medicine knowledge among mountaineers in the Italian Alps

Abstract

Introduction: In 2022, expert consensus defined a set of minimum altitude medicine knowledge statements for laypersons traveling to high altitudes (STAK: strengthening altitude knowledge). We used these statements to assess knowledge among mountaineers in the Italian Alps.

Methods: Mountaineers in a hut (3,647 m) completed an online STAK-based questionnaire, also indicating their confidence after each answer. A score of ≥19/28 was used as a statistical threshold, exceeding chance alone. Logistic regression assessed the link between confidence and correctness; multivariate regression explored demographic, educational, and behavioral predictors of achieving an above-threshold score.

Results: Of 576 participants, 412 (72%) were included in the final analysis and 115 (28%) scored ≥19. Among them, 59% of medical professionals, 36% of mountain guides, and 23% of general participants reached the threshold; the medical professionals scored significantly higher than the general participants (p < 0.001). Both being a mountain guide (odds ratios [OR]: 2.3, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.0–5.0, p < 0.05) and being a medical professional (OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 2.1–10.0, p < 0.001) were associated with higher scores. Conclusion: Using STAK as a benchmark, we found a substantial lack of altitude medicine knowledge in mountaineers, even among guides and medical professionals. These findings suggest a potential for targeted educational interventions.