The Effect of Basic CPR Training on Adults’ Knowledge and Performance in Rural Areas of Iran: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction

Cardiac arrest happening outside the hospital, specifically in rural regions that are more distant from health centers, is a crucial issue in the health of individuals in those regions. Therefore, the ability of residents in those regions to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is very important in preventing death among people. This study aimed at determining the effect of basic CPR training on the adults’ knowledge and performance in rural areas.

Methodology

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 92 adults from rural areas of Shouraab Kohmareh-Sorkhi in Fars province, Iran, in September and October 2018. The samples were selected and divided into two groups using the simple random method. The data were collected using a demographic information form, knowledge questionnaire, and an observational checklist of CPR performance devised by the researcher. Basic teaching of CPR for the intervention group included two hours of oral teaching using lecture and question and answer as well as two hours of practical teaching using demonstration, practice on a manikin, provision of feedback, and correction of errors. The data were entered into the SPSS statistical software, version 21 and were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, independent t-test, chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann–Whitney test.

Findings

The study results revealed that the intervention group’s mean score of knowledge was significantly greater after the intervention (6.78±1.23) compared to that at baseline (2.78±1.74) and compared to the control group (3.24±1.84) (p<0.001). Additionally, the intervention group’s mean score of performance was significantly greater after the intervention (8.22±1.65) than that before the intervention (0.8±0.77) and compared to the control group (1.17±0.71) (p<0.001).

Conclusion

According to the study findings, the villagers’ performance and knowledge could be enhanced by teaching basic CPR techniques.

Trial Registration Number

IRCT20150714023199N3; date registered: 2018-05-06.

Keywords:

• adult
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• knowledge
• rural population
• observational checklist of CPR performance
• teaching

Data Sharing Statement

Any kind of data will be available upon request. All data have been included in the manuscript. In case any specific kind of data that does not include the participants’ confidential information is requested, it can be provided. Data will be available upon request from the corresponding author. Data will be available until one year after publication.

Acknowledgments

This manuscript was extracted from the MSc thesis written by Zamanallah Hajinasab and financially supported by Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (grant No. 1396-01-08-15503). Hereby, the authors would like to express their special thanks to the Center for Development of Clinical Research of Nemazee Hospital and Dr. Marjan Faghih for her contribution to data analysis and Dr. Sezaneh Haghpanah for her assistance in proposal design. They would also like to appreciate Ms. A. Keivanshekouh at the Research Improvement Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for improving the use of English in the manuscript. Thanks also go to the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, community healthcare center of Kohmareh-Sorkhi, and all participants for their cooperation in the study.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.