Knowledge, Attitude and Experience of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation among Medical and Healthcare Professional Students in a Nigerian Medical College
R. N. Ativie *
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
T. O. Awotidebe
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria.
O. Omeru
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
S. A. Ogunyemi
Cardiac Care Unit, Medical Out-patient Department, Ife Hospital Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, PMB 5538, Ile - Ife, Nigeria and Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria
G. T. Olowe
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
R. A. Adedoyin
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria.
E. T. Folarin
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Skills in resuscitation are needed in emergency health care services. However, little is known about level of knowledge of resuscitation techniques among healthcare professional students (HCPS) in Nigeria. This study assessed knowledge, attitude and experience of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among medical and HCPS undergoing training in a Nigerian medical college. The cross-sectional study purposively recruited 300 clinical HCPS from a Nigerian university studying in various health disciplines. Socio-demographic data and information on knowledge, attitude and experience were obtained using a validated CPR questionnaire. However, only 261 copies of the questionnaire were completed and valid for analysis yielding a response rate of 87.8%. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < .05. Results show that the mean age of respondents was 24.6±4.6 years. Students from the Department of Medicine constituted about a third, (30.9%) while less than half, (44.4%) were in year four of study. Less than a quarter, (21.4%) had good knowledge of CPR. A majority, (77.4%) had never practiced CPR, however, (74.9%) had positive attitude towards CPR. There was a significant association between knowledge and department of respondents (χ2=80.973; p= .001) and year of study (χ2=47.799; p = .003). Furthermore, there was a significant association between experience and year of study (χ2=9.195; p =.002). Surveyed medical and healthcare professional students in clinical level had poor knowledge and low level of experience. They however had a positive attitude towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. Curriculum review detailing practical skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques among healthcare professional students is recommended.
Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, experience, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Nigerian medical and healthcare professional students, medical college.