Abstract

Objective: To compare the level of knowledge of First Aid (FA) among medical and non-medical undergraduate students of Karachi
Methodology: This study was conducted in October and November 2017. One thousand fifty-three students of the age range of 17-25 years from the first-year to the fourth-year from three medical and three non-medical institutions were included. A self-administered questionnaire containing 22 questions was distributed among the consenting students in the class rooms. Participants were assessed regarding their knowledge on common emergency situations like epistaxis, fractures, road traffic accidents, foreign body in the eyes/ears, fits, burns, asthma, shock etc. Univariate test of Chi-square was applied to determine the association of type of students and previous training of First Aid with other independent factors. Furthermore, multivariate linear regression was utilized to determine best possible model for estimation of FA knowledge.
Results: Out of 1053 respondents, 521 were medical and 532 were non-medical students. Medical students showed significantly higher knowledge in all the nineteen questions of first aid as compared to non-medical students, except the knowledge of the priorities of treatment (TRIAGE). Mean number of correct answers from medical and non-medical respondents were 9.82 ± 3.35 and 5.6 ± 2.07, respectively. Only 20.6% of the students showed good knowledge. Twenty percent students reported that they had attended a First Aid (FA) seminar/workshop. Among them 149 (28.6%) were medical and 66 (12.4%) were non-medical students. The model developed by linear regression for knowledge of FA consisted of type of institution (medical/non-medical), FA training, universities, years of study, and age. Regression coefficient showed that type of institution and FA training increase FA knowledge by more than double. Eighty percent of the respondents indicated that FA training should be the part of the curriculum.
Conclusion: Study showed that the knowledge of undergraduate students of Karachi institutions is not satisfactory, and therefore needs further enhancement, especially in non-medical students. Regression analysis showed that medical education and FA training doubles, while increase in age negatively affects the FA knowledge.