Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards basic life support among graduating class health science and medical students at Dilla University; a cross sectional study

Abstract

IntroductionBasic Life Support is a level of medical care Applied to victims of life-threatening illnesses and injuries before professional help is provided. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward Basic Life support in Graduating class of health science and medical students at Dilla university referral hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on graduating class students of Dilla University, college of medicine and health science from September 10/2021 to December 13/2021. A total of 167 participants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. A bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analysis were carried out. ResultAmong the study participants, 95 (56.9%) and 86(51.5%) have good knowledge and good practice towards basic life support respectively. Being trained for basic life support and advanced life support, exposure with the person in need of basic life support were found more knowledgeable with odd ratio of [AOR = 13.8, 95% CI (6.3–30.1)], [AOR = 27.7, 95% CI (6.4–119)] and [AOR = 15.7, 95% CI (6.6–37.5)]. Learning anesthesia increases knowledge about basic life support nearly two times [AOR = 1.8, 95% CI (o.4–9.5)] when compared to medicine. ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that nearly half of health science students in our hospital lack adequate knowledge and skills in BLS. Training on basic life support and advanced life support, learning in anesthesia and medicine departments, and exposure to the person in need of basic life support were significantly associated with high knowledge. To increase knowledge of BLS standardized Training and assessments are recommended.