Basic life support awareness among non-medical students at King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The knowledge and skills about basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support are the most important determining factors of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) success rates. Practicing simple CPR techniques as well as knowing BLS improves the chances of survival of the patient until experienced medical help can arrive. In most cases, it is sufficient for survival in itself. The study aimed to determine non-medical undergraduate students' knowledge of BLS and related skills at King Faisal University.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia between October 10 and December 30, 2021. A total of 406 students from nonmedical colleges participated in the study. A validated Arabic-language questionnaire was subsequently administered, which included 10 items assessing knowledge about BLS.

Results: A total of 406 participants completed the questionnaire. The majority of participants (82.5%) had poor knowledge of the BLS. A quarter of students (25.1%) indicated that they had previously taken BLS training. Approximately (16%) of students acquired their knowledge about BLS from the internet, 7.6% from watching movies and TV shows, 16% from school subjects, 2.2% from college subjects, and 26.4% from reading.

Conclusions: BLS knowledge was very limited among non-medical colleges students. It is evident from the study that nonmedical students need better BLS training in order to respond appropriately to cardiac arrest and other emergency situations.