Teachers Knowledge and Attitude toward Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Primary Schools in Karbala City

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the fastest developing disciplines in modern medicine and also one of the life-saving procedures for many emergencies. It is indicated in suffocation, near-drowning, electrocution injury, myocardial infarction and any other time when breathing or circulation ceases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitude toward cardiopulmonary resuscitation in primary school teachers, as well as to determine the association between their knowledge, attitudes and some demographic factors. The findings showed that 54% of teachers had a moderate level of CPR knowledge. There were statistically significant associations between the level of knowledge and some socio-demographic characteristics, especially sex, and years of service. Moreover, the majority of teachers had negative attitudes towards CPR and a significant correlation was found between attitudes and place of residence. The research found that teachers had moderate knowledge but negative attitudes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is advisable that school health service should be enhanced with the support of school nursing programs as those in developed countries, provision of a qualified full time or part-time school nurse in all schools and development of regular teacher education program related to CPR and BLS training. Download Full Text