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. 2019 Mar 3:2019:9342892.
doi: 10.1155/2019/9342892. eCollection 2019.

Knowledge and Attitude about Basic Life Support and Emergency Medical Services amongst Healthcare Interns in University Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shahabe A Saquib  1 , Hassan M Al-Harthi  2 , Anas A Khoshhal  3 , Adel A Shaher  2 , Abdulsalam B Al-Shammari  4 , AbdulAhad Khan  5 , Tahani A Al-Qahtani  2 , Imran Khalid  5
Affiliations

Knowledge and Attitude about Basic Life Support and Emergency Medical Services amongst Healthcare Interns in University Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shahabe A Saquib et al. Emerg Med Int. .

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accident and sudden cardiac arrest are one of the most leading causes of death in KSA. Basic life support (BLS) is lifesaving intervention as a premedical facility. Adequate knowledge and awareness about BLS and CPR are mandatory for healthcare students.

Objective: The objective of the present study is to assess the knowledge, awareness and attitude towards BLS among healthcare interns in different university hospitals across Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods. A total of 865 health interns attending the health colleges (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy) in the University Hospitals across KSA participated in the study. A self-explanatory questionnaire, comprising of 15 questions, was designed for the study. All the hypotheses were formulated using two-tailed alternatives against each null hypothesis.

Result: Out of 865 subjects, 698 completed the survey with a response rate of (80.69%). The male to female sex ratio in the entire group of respondents was 1.44:1.00. Mean score about the awareness and knowledge of BLS and other emergency services among the participants was 2.74±1.02 and 4.02±1.56 respectively. Female participants revealed significantly higher awareness score than male (P-value<0.05). Medical interns showed higher awareness level compared to rest of all the faculty interns (P-value<0.01). There was no significant difference in the attitude of interns among the different faculties. 60 to 70% of interns had recommended to include BLS training in the university curriculum.

Conclusion: Among the participants of the study, overall awareness score was average, whereas the knowledge score was below average. Further, the participants showed a positive attitude toward BLS training. An optimistic decision should be considered on the inclusion of Basic Life Support procedures in the university curriculum.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of Overall Awareness Status.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of Overall Knowledge Status.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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