Public Opinion on Community Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training: a Survey of Inhabitants of the Crimean Peninsula

Abstract

Background.The chances of fatal outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are exceeding 90%. However, the early initiation of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) substantially improves the probability of survival. The study was aimed to determine the extent of community CPR training, level of CPR knowledge, willingness and motivation to learn CPR among the population of the Crimea.Materials and methods.The representative sample of adult residents of the Crimean Peninsula (n=384) has been surveyed by means of individual structured interview from November 2017 to January 2018. The results were analyzed with social statistics.Results.According to the survey, 53% of respondents were previously trained in CPR. The training was performed mainly (82%) at work, school, college/technical school or university, or when acquiring a driver's license. The majority of females, people over 60, unemployed and retired, widowed and those with monthly income lower than 20,000 roubles are not trained. Of previously trained, 44% respondents attended a single CPR course, 72% were trained more than one year ago, 47% of participants had no previous training in CPR, mostly never thinking about the need to go for training. Being dependent from previous CPR training, the knowledge of CPR is generally poor: the proportions of correct answering as of the proper location and rate of chest compressions were 46% and 4%, respectively. Among the respondents, 56% expressed their willingness to attend CPR training. The main motivating factors to attend CPR training were awareness of importance of CPR training, potential health problems in relatives/friends and free-of-charge training.Conclusion.The Crimean population is insufficiently and non-uniformly trained in CPR, has limited knowledge of CPR and low motivation to learn. In order to increase the commitment of the community to provide first aid in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, mass CPR training programs should be implemented with active involvement of the least trained and motivated social strata.