Are schoolteachers able to teach first aid to children younger than 6 years? A comparative study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study was designed to assess the knowledge acquired by very young children (<6 years) trained by their own teachers at nursery school. This comparative study assessed the effect of training before the age of 6 years compared with a group of age-matched untrained children.SettingSome schoolteachers were trained by emergency medical teams to perform basic first aid.ParticipantsEighteen classes comprising 315 pupils were randomly selected: nine classes of trained pupils (cohort C1) and nine classes of untrained pupils (cohort C2).Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe test involved observing and describing three pictures and using the phone to call the medical emergency centre. Assessment of each child was based on nine criteria, and was performed by the teacher 2 months after completion of first aid training.ResultsThis study concerned 285 pupils: 140 trained and 145 untrained. The majority of trained pupils gave the expected answers for all criteria and reacted appropriately by assessing the situation and alerting emergency services (55.7−89.3% according to the questions). Comparison of the two groups revealed a significantly greater ability of trained pupils to describe an emergency situation (p<0.005) and raise the alert (p<0.0001).ConclusionsThis study shows the ability of very young children to assimilate basic skills as taught by their own schoolteachers.

A Survey Of Health Education And First Aid Practices In Basic Schools In Three Regional Capitals In Ghana

“…The head teachers provided the challenges confronting delivery of first aid in the schools as inadequate qualified personnel, facilities, supplies and financial Both categories of respondents indicated that the pupils receive first aid services in the schools. This finding is consistent with the admonishing that teachers need to offer first aids in school to improve the health conditions of their pupils (Ammirati et al, 2014, Al-Robaiaay, 2013, Abemethy, et al, 2003. However, the teachers who usually offer first aid to pupils in the schools when they need arises lack professional training on first aid.…”

“…For example, a study was conducted in Europe, which disclosed that all teachers needed to learn first aid themselves and then teach pupils, right from nursery school level. The teachers also realised the need to apply basic first aid in the classrooms (Ammirati, Gagnayre, Amsallem, Némitz, & Gignon, 2014). Another study was conducted in the United States of America; (USA), which showed that only 5.4% of the teachers received first-aid training.…”

Awareness, attitudes and practices of first aid among school teachers in Mangalore, south India

“…In studies done in Europe, for instance, the present culture is that all teachers must first learn first aid themselves and then teach pupilsright from nursery school level-basic first aid that can be applied in classrooms. [4][5][6] In contrast, several studies done in Asia have reported awareness, perception and practices of first aid among teachers to be poor. 3,[7][8][9] This study was undertaken to assess the awareness, attitudes and practices of first aid among school teachers and to assess the first aid facilities in schools in Mangalore, a coastal city in south India.…”

A training program on first aid and basic life support skills among teachers of a school in South Delhi: a feasibility assessment

“…7 Teachers who receive training in first aid skills may further provide training to the school children. [9][10][11] To begin with training of school teachers may be cost-effective step as teachers are usually the first contact point in any such type of emergencies. Teachers are easily-accepted source of information for children, who would be more receptive to the knowledge imparted by their mentors.…”