Current state of knowledge of basic life support in health professionals of the largest city in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundBasic Life Support (BLS) is the recognition of sudden cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system, followed by resuscitation, and rapid defibrillation. According to WHO, Pakistan has one of the highest mortality rates from accidental deaths therefore assessment and comparison of BLS knowledge in health professionals is crucial. We thereby aim to assess and compare the knowledge of BLS in doctors, dentists and nurses.MethodsA multi-centric cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi at different institutions belonging to the private as well as government sector from January to March 2018. We used a structured questionnaire which was adapted from pretested questionnaires that have been used previously in similar studies. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS v22.0, where adequate knowledge was taken as a score of at least 50%. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors affecting the knowledge regarding BLS in health care professionals.ResultsThe responders consisted of 140 doctors, nurses and dentists each. Only one individual (dentist) received a full score of 100%. In total, 58.3% of the population had inadequate knowledge. Average scores of doctors, dentists and nurses were 53.5, 43.3 and 38.4% respectively. Doctors, participants with prior training in BLS and those with 6 to 10 years after graduation were found to be a significant predictor of adequate knowledge, on multivariate analysis.ConclusionEven though knowledge of BLS in doctors is better than that of dentists and nurses, overall knowledge of health care professionals is extremely poor. Present study highlights the need for a structured training of BLS for health care workers.

Awareness of Adult Basic Life Support among Graduates in a Medical College of Kathmandu

“…Only 38 (25.3%) could give the correct location of chest compression (mid chest) in this study. However, more than half of the respondents (56%) in a study by Irfan et al could give the correct position for the same 10. Number for help in case of medical emergency could be correctly dialed by 56 (37.3%) participants in the present study and by 56.3% in a study done by Aroor et al17…”

“…8 A study by Irfan et al showed 67.1% of doctors and only 35% of dentists having an adequate amount of knowledge regarding BLS. 10 Although they were not able to explain BLS, most of the respondents in this study (142, 94.7%) felt that all graduates must know about it and BLS training should be included as a part of their curriculum (144, 96%). Comparable results were found in a study by Alotaibi et al where 93.6% of dental students and staffs felt the need to know about BLS and wished to have its training in their curriculum.…”

Knowledge and awareness of basic life support among MBBS students in tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh

“…Our study, even with its limitation, does prove that in accordance with global studies, the knowledge about BLS is inadequate in medical students. [21][22][23] The present study ultimately shows that even though awareness and importance about CPR is high, accurate knowledge and practical skills about CPR based on current AHA guidelines are quite low, which is comparable to the study conducted by Vural et al 13 The initiative undertaken by the NMC with earlier incorporation of emergency life-saving procedures in the medical curriculum is justified. Hence, before starting of the compulsory rotatory internship of interns in their respective hospitals, they must be required to obtain an accredited BLS certification.…”

How to train our healthcare professionals in resuscitation: A suggested plan

“…13 Another study presented similar conclusion for doctors, dentists and nurses of Karachi. 14 An editorial in Journal of Pakistan Medical Association in a 2008 issue highlighted important weaknesses in the hospital care, particularly the emergency care of children in the hospital settings.…”