A description of the knowledge and attitudes towards bystander CPR amongst participants in a community outreach initiative in Cape Town
Date
2020-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Introduction: Mortality rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be reduced by early CPR. A better understanding of the factors that prevent or encourage bystander CPR will assist in tailoring CPR training by community organisations to meet the needs of the communities they serve. The aim of this study was, therefore, to describe the basic CPR knowledge and attitudes towards performing out-of-hospital CPR of laypersons who volunteer for Sisaphila community based CPR courses in Cape Town, South Africa.
Methods: Paper-based surveys were distributed at bystander CPR training events, prior to participants receiving free CPR training. Data captured included participant demographics, indications of prior CPR training, basic knowledge of CPR theory and their attitude towards compression-only versus conventional (mouth-to-mouth) CPR.
Results: Fifty one surveys were completed and captured. Ninety percent of participants were female, and 31% had previously received CPR training. Participants had a low level of baseline CPR knowledge, with only 20% of the participants able to correctly answer 3 out 5 basic questions about CPR. Participants were hesitant to perform CPR including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on anybody other than a relative, but over a third (36%) were more willing to perform CPR on a family member, 58% were more willing to perform CPR on a friend or colleague, and 66% were more willing to perform CPR on a stranger if compression-only CPR was an option.
Conclusion: We found that South African laypersons have a low level of baseline knowledge of CPR and that they were more willing to perform CPR if hands-only CPR was an option over traditional CPR including mouth-to-mouth breathing, similar to International trends. Our study also indicates that there is a need to regularly retrain those individuals that have had prior CPR training. These findings can assist community based CPR training programmes in their curricular development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MFamMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
CPR (First aid) -- Knowledge and learning -- Cape Town (South Africa), Cardiac arrest -- Treatment -- Cape Town (South Africa), Outreach programs in hospitals -- Cape Town (South Africa), Bystander effect, Public health -- Cape Town (South Africa), UCTD