Proportions of Health Science Students Who Have Sufficient Knowledge of Adult Basic Life Support

Abstract

Background and Objective: Knowledge of adult basic life support (BLS) is essential to health care providers, including health science students. In Thailand, there is no report about the knowledge of adult BLS in the health science students.  This study aim to  evaluate proportions of the first clinical year health science students, Khon Kaen University who have sufficient knowledge of adult BLS

Method : Descriptive study at Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nurse, Associated Medical Science, and Public Health Program, Khon Kaen University. Study population & sample: A total of 376 first clinical year health science students in the faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nurse, Associated Medical Science, and Public Health Program, Khon Kaen University were recruited using a multistage sampling from a total of 785 students. Tools: A self-administered questionnaire consisting of personal data, experience, opinion and knowledge of adult BLS was used. Analysis: SPSS v. 19 and Epi Info v. 3.5.4 were used to analyze descriptive statistics including percentage, proportion, 95% confidence interval, median, interquartile range, minimum, maximum, Pearson's chi-squared Ordinal chi-squared.

Results: The response rate was 95.7% (360/376). The health science students who had sufficient knowledge of adult basic life support was 30.3% (95%CI: 25.8, 35.3).The health science students had the least knowledge on recognition and asking for help with the point average of 26.8%  and had the most knowledge on abbreviation of BLS and cause of sudden cardiac arrest with the point average of 69.3% . The medical students passed as the highest proportion of 51.4%.

Conclusion: About one third of the health science students have sufficient knowledge of adult BLS whilst the least knowledge were on recognition and asking for help.