Introduction
One of the most common life-threatening event that accounts for 15% of mortality worldwide is cardiac arrest, seen mainly in individuals with a pre-existing cardiovascular condition.1 When the heart ceases beating there is a lack of oxygenated blood, which may cause irreversible damage to the brain.2 These crises can be effectively forestalled by basic moves and abilities with the information on basic life support (BLS), thereby ensuring safety of the patient’s life.3 Care providers should be capable in providing necessary measures within the initial 3 minutes of cardiac crisis and inside the principal 'brilliant' hour in injury cases.4
Basic Life Support (BLS) incorporates acknowledgment of indications of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) normally known as heart attack, cardiovascular stroke, airway obstruction due to foreign body and Automated External Defibrillator (AED).5 Knowledge about BLS has been appeared to impact essential evaluation, treatment decisions, decline the deferral in conclusion and improve results in cardiac arrest.6
Studies conducted among clinical faculties and undergraduates worldwide does not provide satisfactory information among this community. It has been found that the knowledge and awareness on BLS was exceptionally poor among wellbeing experts like doctors and attendants of medical, dental, homeopathy and nursing universities.7 In another study, a low prevalence of current training on BLS and lack of basic CPR knowledge was reported, therefore a widespread CPR program was recommended by the authors.8 Various studies reported that the maintenance of information and abilities identified with BLS is essential, as the knowledge tends to be forgotten with expanding length without occasional training.9, 10, 11
It is imperative that all the adults above 18 years recognize and practice BLS skills to save lives and improve the quality of public life. It is important for the health care professionals to be aware and be trained in the basic life support measures, as they encounter such situation often. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness related to Basic Life Support among final year medical students in a tertiary care medical college Hospital.
Objectives
The objective of the present study was to assess knowledge and awareness about BLS among final year MBBS students who have not undergone training.
Materials and Methods
Study design and study setting
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care medical college in Tamil Nadu from July 2019 to August 2019.
Study population and sample size
The study participants were final year MBBS students. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. Sample size was calculated assuming the proportion of knowledge of MBBS students. The BLS knowledge was observed to be 14.4% as per the study by Bindhu Vausedvan et al.12 The other parameters considered for sample size calculation were 7% absolute precision and 95% confidence level.
Where n = Sample size
Z= Z statistic for a level of confidence level= 1.960
P = Expected prevalence/proportion of outcome= 0.144
d = Precision= 0.07
The required sample size as per the above-mentioned calculation was 97. To account for a non-participation rate of about 3%, another 3 subjects will be added to the sample size. Hence the final required sample size was 100.
Data collection
According to the guidelines laid down by the American Heart Association Guidelines for BLS and CPR 201512 a structured questionnaire was made. The first part consists of 18 questions eliciting knowledge and awareness of participants about basic life support. The second part contains a question on self-grading of BLS Knowledge level. The third part contain four item questionnaire on self-assessment for lack of BLS knowledge.
The feasibility of the study was determined by a pilot study among 10 students. Internal reliability of the questionnaire was assessed and cronbach's coefficient was found to be 0.79 which was acceptable. Item-rated content validity indices were used to calculate content validity ratio. This was achieved by taking the responses on the dichotomous scales. The academician indicated whether an item is favourable (score of + 1) or unfavourable (score of 0). The panel of four academician rated content validity ratio as 0.86. In addition, there were no changes required in the questionnaire as a result of pretest. Descriptive analysis was carried out by frequency and proportion for categorical variables. IBM SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis.13
Results
A total of 100 subjects were included in the final analysis. Out of the 100 participants 62(62%) were able to expand the term BLS while 64(64%) had awareness about the usefulness of BLS. 91(91%) thinking that BLS training should be included in academic curriculum. 99(99%) had knowledge of setups where BLS can be performed. 40(40%) observed or performed BLS at least once. Only 1(1%) had the knowledge of individual components of BLS and 31(31%) had knowledge of rate of chest compressions per minute. 53(53%) and 43(43%) had knowledge of rate of chest compressions to breaths during BLS and knowledge of correct location for chest compression respectively. 24(24%) had knowledge of BLS sequence to be followed and correct response for depth of chest compressions during CPR for an adult was given by 13(13%). 24(24%) didn’t want to give mouth to mouth respiration, 15 (15%) know the abbreviation CAB stands for compressions, airway, breathing and 22 (22%) responded correctly that CABD-D stands for defibrillation. 15(15%) previously performed BLS by self and 60(60%) performed BLS at training Workshops. (Table 1)
Self-grading of BLS knowledge level was assessed using a questionnaire in which participants were asked to rate their knowledge on BLS as average or poor The results showed that 62(62%) had rated as average knowledge BLS and 38(38%) had rated as poor knowledge on BLS. (Table 2)
In self-assessment the reason for lack of BLS knowledge was due to busy curriculum 7(7%), lack of interest 7(7%), non-availability of training and 65(65%) were combination of above factors 21(21%). (Table 3)
Table 1
Knowledge of BLS among study population (N=100)
Discussion
It is essential for all medical and paramedical personnel to have adequate knowledge on cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills, a necessary lifesaving skill that must be interpreted and correctly practiced. These lifesaving skills should be updated in the medical curriculum.14
Out of 100 participants, self-graded BLS Knowledge was found to be average for 62% and poor for 38%. 62% of students were able to expand the term BLS in the present study while in a study by Vasudevan B et al, 76.3% answered correctly.12 Some MBBS batches got a two hour session on BLS by community medicine department in the study done by Vasudevan B et al. This may be the reason of slight increase in the knowledge of students.
A study done on Egyptian medical students by Ghanem et al showed that more than 70% of participants could not identify the proper location of chest compression in adults. In the present study 43% of participants knew the correct position of chest compression, while 62.8% of students from Vausedvan B et al study knew the correct position of chest compression.15, 12
Knowledge on performing BLS sequence in our present study was 24% and similar studies showed 18.3% knowledge on sequence of procedures for doing BLS.12 Only 13% responded correctly to the depth of chest compression and knowledge of rate of chest compressions to breaths was 53% in the present study, while an improved knowledge (40.8%) on the depth of chest compression was reported by a similar study on medical, dental and nursing interns, but showed less percentage of knowledge on rate of chest compressions to breaths (42%).16 Similar percentage of students responded correctly to sequence to be followed for BLS in our study and a study done in interns of Saudi Arabia (24% and 25.5% respectively).16
Only 12.9% ever practised resuscitation in a real-life setting, inside or outside hospital in a study done by Mani G while in our study 15% performed BLS atleast once.17 Another study from south India showed very few had undergone training when compared to our study.18
Those who got training and involved in resuscitation frequently secured higher knowledge in comparison to those who were seldom involved or not involved at all.19, 20
Self-grading of BLS Knowledge level was found to be poor in 38% while 49.3% showed poor knowledge, in a study done by Gebremedhn EG et al. on final year students.21 65% students of the present study self-assessed as the lack of knowledge was due to the nonavailability of training in curriculum. Similar outcomes were reported in a study, in which 58% insisted that BLS should be included in the curriculum.22
Limitation
This study was done on final year MBBS students of a single medical college, who have not undergone BLS training and there was no comparison done between those who got training or who attended workshops. The study did not assess the practices and practical skills of the participants but help to insist a positive attitude to acquire knowledge on BLS.
Recommendation
However now from 2019 curriculum onwards it is recommended to impart BLS training at the foundation course level itself. All health institutions should, therefore, focus on the need to train BLS and can conduct frequent workshops to all students and interns there by students learn and practice the skills to become life savers.
Conclusion
From this study, we infer that proper training and workshops are mandatory on BLS/CPR in our undergraduate medical students. Awareness and knowledge about basic life support is certainly required for medical care experts as they experience such circumstance consistently, and will help them a long way in saving lives. Such situations not only occur at hospital settings but can also occur at outdoor settings, thus knowledge in basic life support is very essential.
Key Messages: Knowledge of basic life support is needed for budding medical students as they will encounter such situation on a daily basis, and will help them a long way in saving lives.