Basic first aid knowledge of students in vocational health science colleges in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Tens of millions more people suffer non-fatal injuries every year. Rapid FA interventions can minimize injuries and prevent many deaths and disabilities. Health science students are generally expected to be able to perform BLS skills. This paper concentrate on assessment of basic FA knowledge in vocational health science college students. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge on basic first aid and related factors associated with knowledge levels of students on first aid management among health science students attending in private Vocational colleges of Health Services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: This study is institution-based cross-sectional study conducted among a total of 1986 students attending health science courses in 11 private Vocational colleges of Health science in Addis Ababa from December 1 to February 15.Two-stage simple random sampling technique was used and sample size determined using single proportion formula and the final sample size was 531. Using a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire data was collected and entered in Epi-info version 7 and analysed using SPSS. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 considered as factors significantly associated. Results: The result of this study reveals that, 53.4% of the respondents had good knowledge of first aid concerning the basic first aid knowledge. Participating in school first aid club and taking basic first aid training were significantly associated with basic first aid knowledge level of the students. Conclusion and recommendation: The study showed that slightly more than half of the participants had good first aid knowledge. Prior first aid training and having a first aid club were significantly associated factors with knowledge. To improve students' FA knowledge providing training, establishing and supporting school-based first aid clubs, and considering updated FA refresher workshops to be included across all study levels on a regular basis.......... Thesis available at Addis Continental Institute of Public Health Library