Determinants of knowledge and attitude toward first aid among final year students at technical and vocational schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction:Injuries among technical and vocational school students are considered one of the most serious health problems worldwide today. Getting injuries in a technical and vocational school are high as different machines are used. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward first aid among graduating students at technical and vocational schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods:School-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2019. A simple random sampling technique was employed. Data were entered in Epi-info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were employed using a binary logistic regression model. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 are considered as factors significantly associated.Results:The result of this study reveals 53.2% and 60.3% of the respondents had good knowledge and favorable attitude, respectively. Training (adjusted odds ratio: 5.14; 95% confidence interval = (2.82, 9.38)), participating in school first aid club (adjusted odds ratio: 3.66; 95% confidence interval = (2.23, 6.00)), and mother’s level of education (adjusted odds ratio: 1.90; 95% confidence interval = (1.02, 3.55)) were significantly associated with knowledge. Being female (adjusted odds ratio = 2.10; 95% confidence interval = (1.24, 3.39)), training (adjusted odds ratio: 3.18; 95% confidence interval = (1.73, 5.82)), and participating in school first aid club (adjusted odds ratio: 4.82; 95% confidence interval = (2.98, 7.81)) were significantly associated with attitude.Conclusion:Only half and nearly two-thirds of the participants have good knowledge and favorable attitude, respectively. Training, participating in school first aid club, and having an educated mother increase the odds of having good knowledge. Being female, training, and participating in school first aid clubs increase the odds of a favorable attitude. Since first aid is a frontline and lifesaving intervention during life-threatening situations, it is better to give attention to enhance students’ knowledge and attitude toward first aid by giving training, establishing first aid clubs, and considering first aid courses to be included in the curriculum.