Provision of post-crash first aid by traffic police in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe availability of prehospital trauma care is an important means of reducing serious injuries and fatalities associated with road traffic injuries (RTIs). Lay responders such as traffic police play an important role in the provision of prehospital trauma care to RTI victims, especially where there is no established prehospital care system. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate knowledge, self-reported practice, and attitudes toward post-crash first aid among traffic police officers in Tanzania.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between July–September 2017 to investigate knowledge, self-reported practice and attitude among traffic police officers during provision of post-crash care. We used simple random technique to recruit 340 traffic police officers, self -administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The researchers used descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 340 traffic police officers were surveyed. Nearly two thirds (65.3%) reported having had post-crash first aid on-the job training; a slightly larger proportion (70.9%) reported that they had cared for RTI victims in the previous year. The survey responses showed that, generally, traffic police officers’ level of knowledge about post-crash first aid to RTI victims was low—about 3% of the surveyed officers possessed knowledge at a level considered good. Also, there was a statistically significant correlation between higher educational attainment and greater knowledgeability (p = 0.015). Almost all of the officers (96%) had a positive attitude toward providing post-crash first aid to RTI victims.ConclusionsImproved training of Tanzania traffic police officers, by means of an updated post-crash first aid curriculum and updated resources is recommended. Also, user-friendly post-crash first aid leaflets should be provided to traffic police for their reference.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12873-018-0199-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of a Postcrash First Aid Educational Program on Knowledge, Perceived Skills Confidence, and Skills Utilization Among Traffic Police Officers: A Single-Arm Before-After Intervention Study

“…We tested the hypothesis that a PFA educational program delivered to traffic police would lead to improved knowledge and increased confidence in first aid delivery skills. Before the training, police officers had low levels of knowledge and confidence in regard to administering first aid to RTI victims, a finding that is reflected in those of a previous survey in Tanzania (13). Post-training surveys immediately after training and after six months showed that there was a significant improvement in first aid knowledge and skills confidence among traffic police.…”

“…A list of 340 police officers from a previous database regarding knowledge, self-reported practice, and attitudes of traffic police officers was used to proportionately select officers from jurisdictional areas of Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke (13). A simple random sampling by drawing a YES/NO tickets from the box was used.…”

“…). A Swahili version already existed and was tested for reliability; the alpha value of .74 for the knowledge domain indicated acceptable reliability of the scale(13). Wemodified the existing Swahili version of the questionnaire by adding more knowledge items and developed new questions on assessing perceived skills confidence, utilization of trained skills, and training experience.…”

Impact of a postcrash first aid educational program on knowledge, perceived skills confidence, and skills utilization among traffic police officers: a single-arm before-after intervention study

“…The recruitment process was left under the mandate of researchers who ensured rights of officers to participate or decline participation were maintained without interference from police management. A list of 340 police officers from a previous database regarding knowledge, self-reported practice, and attitudes of traffic police officers was used to proportionately select officers from jurisdictional areas of Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke [13]. A simple random sampling by drawing a YES/NO tickets from the box was used.…”

“…In Tanzania, traffic police officers are officially responsible for providing first aid and for facilitating the transport of injured people from the crash scene to the hospital, either independently or in collaboration with other lay responders. Although a first aid course is part of the curriculum during police officers' formal trainings, a previous study conducted to investigate their knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward care of RTI victims revealed that they have low levels of knowledge and poor practices [13]. Some of the reasons for this finding could be attributed to the fact that the curriculum and training approach to the management of road trauma victims is inadequate.…”