Abstract
Background: Basic life support (BLS) with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provided at the right time greatly improves survival following cardiac arrest. Adequate knowledge and skills related to BLS are essential requisites for Health care workers. This study was aimed to explore the awareness, knowledge and attitudes related to Basic Life Support among Community Health Officer (CHO) Trainees at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, India. Methods: After approval from Institute Ethical Committee and informed consent from the participant, the present descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 CHO Trainees at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, in November 2019, using a self-administered pretested, semi-structured questionnaire based on knowledge and attitude of BLS and CPR. Results: Majority of participants had poor to good knowledge about CPR. None of the participants were able to answer all the questions correctly. Main source of information was lectures in classes, YouTube videos and healthcare workers. Majority of participants have overall positive attitude for providing basic life support to victims. Conclusions: This study has highlighted a critical issue that a majority of trainees have limited knowledge about CPR. We recommend the mandatory implementation of CPR and basic life-support training for all Health care workers across India, and the need for incorporation of the BLS teaching into their curriculum and reinforcement and refresher courses at frequent intervals. Key words: Basic life support (BLS), Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), emergency medical services (EMS), American Heart Association (AHA), Compressions Only Life Support (COLS), Community health officer (CHO)
Highlights
Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of premature death in the modern world
To leave the ignorance of common man behind various city branches of Indian Society of Anesthesiologists are demonstrating and teaching Basic life support (BLS) and compressions Only Life Support (COLS) in public gatherings and on some special days like World Anesthesia Day. This questionnaire survey demonstrated that up-to-date cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills among CHO Trainees were insufficient, which could be improved by well-designed certified training programs
At least, certified programs training basic skills of CPR should be a mandatory component in the all healthassociated fields like medical, paramedical, and nursing colleges and faculties and should be frequently and regularly revised, with continuous medical education (CME), along with the testing of knowledge and skills at regular intervals
Summary
Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of premature death in the modern world. Data from previous studies suggest that more than 3 million sudden cardiac deaths occur worldwide every year and survival is lower than 8%.1-3 It has been estimated that by the end of present decade, 60% of world’s heart disease is expected to occur in India and proportionately the incidence and prevalence is expected to rise.[4]. It has been estimated that by the end of present decade, 60% of world’s heart disease is expected to occur in India and proportionately the incidence and prevalence is expected to rise.[4] Basic life support (BLS) is the foundation of life saving steps following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.[5] The ultimate aim of any basic life support training course is not just to enrich the health care providers and lay rescuers with the knowledge and skills to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and to cultivate a strong conviction among them to be willing to help should such an actual dire need arise in real world.[6] Time is of utmost importance in improving the chance of survival of a cardiac arrest victim[7] as every minute delay without the initiation of BLS will decrease the chance of survival by 7– 10%.8 This is especially so if the time taken from the activation of the emergency medical services (EMS) to the time when they arrive at scene is longer than the critical first 5 min. The ability to respond quickly and effectively to cardiac arrest situation rests on health care team as they are supposed to be competent in emergency lifesaving procedure of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.[10,11] studies conducted in the past show a lack and inconsistency in knowledge regarding the CPR and defibrillation.[12]
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