College students’ knowledge and attitudes toward bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest attracts global attention because it is a fatal public health concern. Early implementation of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can significantly improve chances of survival. The significance of CPR training is well recognized by the American Heart Association. College students are potential bystanders who could perform CPR in the community. Aim: This study purpose is to explore college students’ knowledge and attitudes toward CPR. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted in a tertiary college. From September to October 2015, 506 hard-copies of a well-validated questionnaire were distributed. Results: Of 351 respondents, 73 (21.8%) were male and 278 (79.2%) were female. The mean knowledge score was 4.97 out of 10 with a standard deviation of 1.61. Over half of the respondents (n = 194, 55.3%) had attended a CPR course before. The mean attitude score was 26.53 out of 30, and the standard deviation was 2.68. Most of the respondents (87.0%) showed a willingness to perform CPR. The reasons for attending CPR training were mainly “interest” (n = 106, 46.5%), followed by “extra-curricular activity” (n = 37, 16.2%), “to help family and friends in need” (n = 37, 16.2%) and “others” (n = 29, 12.7%) such as to fulfill job or academic requirement. The most frequently reported inhibitors of performing bystander CPR were a lack of confidence due to forgetting CPR procedures (28.8%) and lack of confidence due to not having received any CPR training (19.1%). Conclusions: Although students had a positive attitude toward CPR, inadequate knowledge and training were found. Incorporation of CPR training into the college curricula could be a long-term strategy to enhance CPR benefits to the wider community. Maintaining better knowledge and skills retention, regular and refresher training for students are recommended.

Keywords:

• resuscitation
• students
• knowledge
• attitude
• Hong Kong

Public Interest Statement

Sudden cardiac arrest attracts global attention because it is a fatal public health concern worldwide. Early implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is vital to increase the survival chances and improve the neurologic and health outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims. This positive association among bystander CPR and beneficial functional outcomes enhances the significance of promoting community CPR programs. Colleges and Universities have been shown to be ideal settings for CPR training, and their students are one of the most suitable potential bystanders trained for CPR in the community. This study explored Hong Kong college students’ knowledge, attitudes and related factors affecting bystander CPR, and compared CPR knowledge and attitudes between students who have and have not been trained in CPR. The results provide directions for future planning and training. Incorporation of CPR training into the tertiary education curricula could be a long-term strategy to expand CPR benefits to the wider community.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr Jeff Wilks for the generous approval of questionnaire usage as well as ACS Tang, HCH Wong and PM Fung for their contribution to the study and support in data collection.

Additional information

Funding

Funding. The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Maria Shuk Yu Hung

Maria Shuk Yu Hung is currently Associate Professor of School of Nursing at Tung Wah College. She served as teaching faculty in universities since 2001 and developed research interests in emergency nursing, disaster education, and mental health first aid training. She has been conducting research studies exploring nurses, families and public’s perspectives on life-support training and end-of-life management in the emergency department.

Meyrick Chum Ming Chow

Meyrick Chum Ming Chow is currently Acting Dean and Professor of School of Nursing at Tung Wah College. His research interests are educational research in areas of technology-enhanced education, diabetes care, and infection control. He has played a significant role in the development of online healthcare courses in the university sector in Hong Kong.

Tania Tin Wing Chu

Tania Tin Wing Chu, Pui Pui Wong, Wai Yan Nam, Vicky Long Ki Chan and Tsz Hing Chan are graduates of Bachelor of Health Science Program of School of Nursing, Tung Wah College.