Traffic Accident First Aid Training for police officers: A Safe Community Model in Malang, Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction Police officers hold an important role as first responders as they usually reach the location of a traffic accident before paramedics. They also provide a level of safety for traffic accident victims while still at the accident scene. This study examined the effects of first aid training for police officers and their ability to assist people involved in traffic accidents as a part of a safe community model. Methods The study employed a pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-test/post-test approach. The recruited sample was made up of 19 police officers from Malang Resort Police Station, chosen by using the cluster technique applied to areas with high accident levels. The instruments used were questionnaires, assessing the officers’ knowledge of first aid, as well as observation sheets measuring their skills in providing first aid. Results The results were analysed using a Wilcoxon test, which showed a significant effect (p<0.0001) of first aid training for a traffic accident on the knowledge and skills of police officers as a part of a safe community model. Conclusion First aid training is a strategy that should be implemented in order to support a safe community model. It is suggested that this training be conducted regularly by means of collaboration between police stations and medical services in order to improve pre-hospital services, which currently are limited in Indonesia.