Knowledge acquisition and retention on first-aid management of cervical spine injuries among first-rescuers: A low-fidelity simulation intervention in Mzuzu-city, Malawi

Abstract

BackgroundCervical spine injuries (CSIs) resulting from road traffic accidents (RTAs) significantly contribute to global fatalities and disabilities. Therefore, immediate first aid for individuals with cervical spine injuries in RTAs is essential for reducing complications. This study aimed to assess knowledge acquisition and retention in the first-aid management of cervical spine injuries among first rescuers in Mzuzu City, Malawi, following a low-fidelity simulation intervention. MethodsA Pre-test – post-test quasi-experimental study design was employed. A total of 84 participants including police officers, minibus drivers, ambulance drivers, and community members aged 18 years and above, were selected using a non-randomised sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, and paired t-tests were used in this study. ResultsDuring the pre-test, only 24(28.6 %) (n = 84) participants had good knowledge of first aid for cervical spine injury first aid (CSI FA). This number increased significantly to 70 (83.3 %) (n = 84) immediately following the post-test and remained at 64 (80.0 %) (n = 80) at the 4-month post-test. An association was noted between the level of knowledge and previous training in road traffic accident (RTA) first aid (FA) (p = 0.001). Additionally, the results also indicated a significant difference between the CSI FA knowledge mean score before the low-fidelity simulation intervention and the mean score immediately after the intervention and four months post-intervention (p = 0.000). ConclusionThe participants in the study initially demonstrated poor pre-test knowledge, which significantly improved after the post-test and remained good with slight degradation four months later. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of low-fidelity simulation in the acquisition and retention of CSI FA knowledge among first rescuers.