Knowledge of first aid measures and associated factors among governmental primary school teachers in Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Most of the time primary school children experience minor injuries and they always need first aid care to prevent conditions become worse and school teachers are the nearest ones to manage their minor injuries. Lack of knowledge and skills of their teachers may lead to serious health consequences. Acquiring the basic knowledge and skills of first aid can be vital for teachers to be able to provide proper emergency pre-hospital care in the event of an accident to save life and prevent avoidable consequences. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge on first aid measure and its associated factors among governmental primary school teachers in Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from February 4-22, 2021. Data were obtained from 213 primary school teachers selected by simple random sampling technique from eight schools using a self-administered questionnaire. Epi Info 3.5.4 was a data entry software and SPSS version 20.0 was selected for analysis. Associations among variables were assessed by binary logistic regression. Result: A small proportion of 52 (23.2%) of teachers were knowledgeable (95% CI 17.9-28.6) about first aid measures. Only 57 (21.4%) teachers had received first aid training previously. One-fourth of 56 (25%) of the respondents gave accurate responses for the need for priority for obstructed airway and only nine (4%) teachers knew the 7 essential step of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Level of education AOR = 2.866 (95% CI 1.386, 5.925) and previous first aid training AOR = 7.216 (95% CI 3.437, 15.153) were statistically significant protective associated factors with teachers’ knowledge on first aid measures. Conclusion: A great proportion of 172 (76.8%) of primary school teachers were unknowledgeable about first aid measures which were higher compared to reports from several studies. This needs exceptional attention to train teachers periodically on first aid procedures to equip them to perform effective first aid measures to treat the common emergencies of children at school. Keywords: First aid; School children; Teachers; Knowledge; Associated factors; Ethiopia.