Knowledge and practices of primary school teachers about first aid management of minor injuries among children in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: While teachers have an abundant responsibility for teaching and guiding children in their academic and overall growth, previous studies have found out that the prevalence of first aid training among teachers is still low. Even though teachers act as the first line of defense in any health emergency. The present study aims at investigating the prevalence of knowledge among teachers on how to handle first aid procedures for basic and usual accidents and chronic diseases such as diabetes and epilepsy. Methodology: Quantitative observational cross-sectional study was carried out targeting the primary schools at Unaizah city, Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. The sample included exclusively teachers enrolled in a systematic approach. A total of 315 subjects participated in the study. Results: Majority of the research participants were aged between 26 years and 50 years 291 (93.9%), with only 2.6% being aged 50 years or more. Most of the participants had bachelor degree as the highest education level 239 (77.3%), while there was only one participant with a Ph.D. While 44.2% of the teachers knew first aid education, 22.3% of the participants could confidently carry out first aid procedures. Three-quarters of the participants did know what to do after a pupil faints, while 47.7% of the teachers did know what to do in the event bleeding. Conclusions: Knowledge and education of what to do in an emergency that requires first aid appears to be not a problem in the primary schools surrounding Unaizah city, Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. However, the present study still warrants practical training for the teachers on first aid procedures