Knowledge and practices regarding first aid measures among undergraduate non-medical students in Ismailia, Egypt

Hassan, Ibrahim Ali; Alghzlawi, Ibrahim; Tawfik, Ahmed; Metwally, Shimaa SalahEldin; Rafaat, Kareem Wael; Besheer, Abdallah Hassan; Mohamed, Hamza; Khalafallah, Ahmed Fathy; Hassan, Sahar

doi:10.21608/ejnhs.2024.380002

Knowledge and practices regarding first aid measures among undergraduate non-medical students in Ismailia, Egypt

Contributors

Authors

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt

² Emergency department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt

10.21608/ejnhs.2024.380002

Abstract

Background: The presence of first responders with sufficient first aid training is crucial as they provide essential first aid services in all public settings, which can improve patient outcomes and reduce medical costs.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of First Aid Among undergraduate non-medical students In Ismailia, Egypt.
Methods: This was a cross sectional online based study using convenient sampling technique of 385 participants. A Google form, including sociodemographic and affiliation data and a questionnaire that was prepared to assess theoretical and technical knowledge and practices of first aid.
Results: The mean age of participants was 20.46 ±1.49 years; 70% were female, about 79% lived in urban areas, and 29% were from the engineering faculty. The mean score of first-aid knowledge was 7.6 ± 3.6, showing a low level of knowledge. Only 81 (21%) participants scored above 10 points in the questionnaire, while 304 (79%) scored 10 points or below. Most participants (92.5%) believed that formal first aid training for undergraduates was necessary, while only 0.5% did not consider it essential, and 7% were indecisive.
Conclusion: This study showed insufficient first-aid knowledge among non-medical undergraduate students regardless of sociodemographic characteristics, this underscores the critical need to implement comprehensive first-aid training programs across all university educational curricula.
Recommendations: First aid plays a major role in reducing medical expenses in the community as it has been revealed by our literature review, therefore the emphasis on first aid training for nonmedical personnel should be taken seriously especially in the developing countries.