Schoolteachers Teach First Aid and Trauma Management to Young Primary School Children: An Experimental Study with Educational Intervention

Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of teaching first aid to 6–8-year-old children within their primary school setting. The study aimed to address two key research questions: (1) Can children of this age group acquire first aid and trauma management skills from their schoolteachers? (2) How long do children retain the acquired first aid knowledge? Methods: A pilot experimental study with an educational intervention was conducted in a single primary school in Greece. A total of 60 schoolchildren aged 6–8 years were randomly selected for participation, with 30 children assigned to the training group and 30 children assigned to the control group, which did not receive any intervention. To assess the children’s understanding of first aid, a specialized questionnaire was administered to all children one day before the training, as well as to the training group one day after the training, and at two and six months following the training. Results: Prior to the training, there were no significant differences in first aid knowledge between the children in the training group and those in the control group. However, one day after the training, the trained children demonstrated significantly higher scores (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Over time, the first aid knowledge of the trained children gradually declined at the two- and six-month follow-up assessments, although it remained higher than their pre-training level. Conclusions: First aid training provided by their teachers improved the knowledge of 6–8-year-old primary school children in first aid and trauma management.

ChokeSafe: Empowering Children with Life-Saving Choking-Management Skills

“…However, our research underscores that both classroom teachers and specialized personnel equally contribute to imparting these crucial skills. Classroom teachers have demonstrated their ability to effectively convey first aid knowledge and skills to their students [ 19 ]. Their adeptness at simplifying complex procedures into understandable explanations makes the educational experience engaging and constructive for students.…”

“…It is crucial to emphasize that when teaching first aid to children, it is essential to consider their age-specific characteristics [ 19 , 20 ]. Research underscores the significance of tailoring teaching methodologies to suit the developmental stages of young learners [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…It is crucial to emphasize that when teaching first aid to children, it is essential to consider their age-specific characteristics [ 19 , 20 ]. Research underscores the significance of tailoring teaching methodologies to suit the developmental stages of young learners [ 19 , 20 ]. For younger children, interactive games and activities serve as invaluable tools for imparting essential safety and first aid knowledge while keeping them engaged and receptive [ 16 ].…”

Knowledge Level and Practice of Primary School Teachers Regarding Traumatic Dental Injuries and Their Emergency Management in Twin Cities

“…The reliance on self-reported data might have introduced bias, and the study's cross-sectional design limited the ability to infer causality. Additionally, the study was confined to two cities, which might limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions (18). Based on the findings, several recommendations emerged.…”