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. 2022 Nov 27;19(23):15770.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph192315770.

Willingness and Predictors of Bystander CPR Intervention in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Freshmen Enrolled in a Japanese University

Yukihiro Mori  1   2 , Yoko Iio  1   3 , Yuka Aoyama  1   4 , Hana Kozai  5 , Mamoru Tanaka  5 , Makoto Aoike  1 , Hatsumi Kawamura  1 , Manato Seguchi  1 , Masato Tsurudome  1   6 , Morihiro Ito  1   3   6
Affiliations

Willingness and Predictors of Bystander CPR Intervention in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Freshmen Enrolled in a Japanese University

Yukihiro Mori et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has decreased bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) intervention rates. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the willingness of university freshmen to provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic and the predictors thereof. A cross-sectional survey of 2789 newly enrolled university students was conducted after the end of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan; predictors of willingness to provide BCPR were assessed by regression analysis. Of the 2534 participants 1525 (60.2%) were willing to intervene and provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hesitancy due to the anxiety that CPR intervention might result in poor prognosis was a negative predictor of willingness. In contrast, anxiety about the possibility of infection during CPR intervention did not show a negative impact. On the other hand, interest in CPR and willingness to participate in a course, confidence in CPR skills, awareness of automated external defibrillation, and knowledge of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also positive predictors. This study suggests that the barrier to willingness to intervene with BCPR during a COVID-19 pandemic is not fear of infection, but rather hesitation due to the possibility of poor prognosis from the intervention. The significance of conducting this study during the COVID-19 epidemic is great, and there is an urgent need for measures to overcome hesitation regarding BCPR.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation; university freshmen students.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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