Preparedness regarding first response to emergencies in the community among graduate students: A cross-sectional study in India

Abstract

Background: The key to successful outcomes in time-sensitive emergencies involves a pivotal role played by bystanders in identifying and initiating first response. This in turn depends on their awareness and perspective regarding the same. Objective: This study aimed to assess the existing awareness and attitude regarding first response to emergencies in students pursuing graduation, in an Indian University. Methods: The students were administered a pilot-tested questionnaire regarding first response, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs). A total of 1851 students were included in the study from various disciplines- both health care professional training (HCPT) students and non-HCPT students. Results: Poor knowledge was noticed across several themes including awareness of emergency helpline number (61.48%), recognising cardiac arrest (33.98%), awareness about hands-only CPR (12.26%), knowledge about rate of chest compressions in adults (25.01%) and infants (19.67%), and steps of using an AED (17.45%). Only 29.17% of the participants had undergone previous training in CPR. Only 57% of the participants were willing to initiate CPR in cardiac arrest victims. Some of the major knowledge barriers identified included no prior training (62.4%) and perceived harm to victims (26.9%). The mean knowledge score was low and 69% of the participants scored less than 50%. The significant predictors of low knowledge score were lower age, male gender, non-HCPT students, no previous training in CPR and having not witnessed a cardiac arrest before. Conclusions: There is low preparedness regarding the first response and low awareness regarding crucial links in the chain of survival of cardiac arrest. However, willingness among the students to learn CPR was an encouraging finding.