ABSTRACT
Introduction: Prehospital care in many low- and middle-income countries is underdeveloped and needs strengthening for improved outcomes. Where formal prehospital care systems are under development, integration of a layperson first responder programme may help improve access for those in need. The World Health Organization recently developed the Community First Aid Responder (CFAR) learning program in support of this system, providing that it may require adaptation to be contextually suitable and sustainably implemented at country level. This study assesses a pilot WHO CFAR course in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to inform future rollouts and related research. Methods: We conducted a 3-day in-person pilot CFAR training with 42 purposively selected community health workers. Data collection involved quantitative and qualitative phases. The first consisted of structured pre- and post-training surveys, and a course evaluation by participants. The second consisted of two focus group discussions involving purposively selected community health workers in one group, and a convenience sample of course instructors and organisers in the other. Perceptions regarding course content, perceived knowledge acquisition and self-confidence gain were analysed using descriptive statistics for the quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. Results: Course participants were predominantly male (76.3 %) with a median age of 42 years and most (80.5 %) had no prior first aid training. Most were satisfied that the learning objectives were reached, the logistics were adequate, and that the content and teaching language were appropriately tailored to local context. The majority (94.7 %) found the 3-day duration insufficient. There was a significant self-confidence gain regarding first aid skills (average 17.9 % in pre- to 95.3 % in post-training, p < 0.001). Favourable opinions on the course structure, content, logistics and teaching methods were noted. Conclusion: A CFAR course pilot was successfully conducted in Kinshasa. The course is appropriate for context and well received by participants. It can form a key component of developing prehospital care systems in resource-constrained settings.
Subject(s)
Emergency Medical Services , Prehospital Care , First AidABSTRACT
Most seizures in children occur outside the hospital and effective first aid would protect individuals from harm. Study assessed the knowledge, attitude and home-based interventions for childhood seizures.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted from 1stJune to 31stDecember, 2021 among caregivers of patients in a Paediatric outpatient clinic. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to assess knowledge, attitude, and home intervention of childhood seizures. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and results presented as frequency tables, percentages and charts. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.Results: Out of 218 respondents, the commonest source of information on childhood seizures was from friends and relatives 126(73.2%). Fever was the commonest known cause. Only 15(6.9%) recognized seizure as a neurological disorder. Jerking of the body and clenchingof the teeth were the commonest recognizable symptoms. The majority said seizures were contagious (176(80.7%) and children with seizures should not go to school 187(85.8%). The overall knowledge score was poor. Negative attitudes included avoidance 19(8.7%), isolation from playing with peers (15(6.9%) and from the public 17(7.8%). Common interventions during seizures were putting palm kernel oil in the mouth while only 25(29.4%) took the child to the hospital or laid him down away from harmful objects 25(29.4%). The practice of home intervention for seizures was good in only 11(5.0%) of respondents
Subject(s)
Humans , Seizures , Attitude to Health , Cross-Sectional Studies , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Crisis Intervention , First AidABSTRACT
Introduction: La République Démocratique du Congo fait régulièrement face à plusieurs urgences sanitaires. La présence des médecins en première ligne dans la riposte y est un phénomène spontané. Des lacunes ont été identifiées dans la connaissance des premiers secours au sein de la population; d'où la nécessité de formation. Les étudiants en médecine y joueraient un rôle crucial. Cette étude évalue les connaissances théoriques en premiers secours chez ceux-ci. Méthodologie: Notre étude est de type descriptif et transversal. Elle a été conduite du 01 Juin au 30 Août 2021 à la Faculté de médecine de l'Université Catholique du Graben. Notre échantillon était constitué de 279 étudiants. La collecte des données a été faite par un questionnaire d'enquête couvrant divers aspects des premiers secours. Les données ont été traitées par le logiciel Epi Info version 3.4.5. Résultats: Aucun participant n'a démontré un niveau satisfaisant de connaissances théoriques en premiers secours tandis que 38,7% et 61,3 % ont démontré un niveau intermédiaire et bas respectivement. Une corrélation positive a été notée entre la promotion d'étude, une formation antérieure en premiers secours et le niveau de connaissance. Le média est la principale source d'information. Près de la moitié des étudiants ont affirmé n'avoir jamais posé un geste de premier secours à cause du manque de connaissance (47,7%). La quasi-totalité a montré une attitude positive en rapport avec l'introduction d'une formation en premiers secours en milieu universitaire. Conclusion: Cette étude a démontré un faible niveau de connaissances des gestes de premiers secours parmi les étudiants en médicine, mais une volonté d'apprendre. Il y a nécessité d'intégrer la formation en gestes de premiers secours dans tous les curriculums de l'enseignement en RDC
Introduction: The Democratic Republic of Congo regularly faces several health emergencies. The presence of medical doctors in the first line of the response is a spontaneous phenomenon. Gaps in first aid knowledge have been identified in the population; hence the need for training. Medical students could play a crucial role in this context. This study assesses the theoretical knowledge of first aid among them. Methods: Our study is descriptive and transversal. It was conducted from June 01 to August 30, 2021 in the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Graben. Our sample consisted of 279 students. Data collection was done through a survey questionnaire covering various aspects of first aid. Data were processed using Epi Info software. The chi-square test was used to estimate the association of variables with knowledge and a p-value. Results: No participant demonstrated a satisfactory level of theoretical knowledge of first aid while 38.7% and 61.3% demonstrated an intermediate and low level respectively. A positive association was noted between the study level, a previous training in first aid and the level of knowledge. The media is the main source of information. Nearly half of the students said they had never taken a rescue action because of lack of knowledge (47.7%). The vast majority (98%) had a positive attitude regarding the introduction of first aid in school's curriculum. Conclusion: Our study showed a poor level of first aid knowledge among medical students, but a great willingness to learn. There is a great need to incorporate first aid trainings in all training curricula in the DRC.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Schools , Students, Medical , Teaching , Emergency Treatment , First Aid , GesturesABSTRACT
Background :Reports of natural disasters and injuries have increased in recent years in both low and high-income regions. Household emergency preparedness can limit the effects of not only natural disasters but also simple injuries. Little is known regarding the level of emergency preparedness in Sudan households. Method:A cross sectional community based survey was conducted in the Alemtidad region of Sudan between September 2012 and December 2012. A random selection of 89 households was done from 3200 in the region as per power calculation. Data were collected using a structured designed questionnaire and analysed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) program version 20 and demographics were presented accordingly.Result:Less than half of households surveyed had any first aid supplies and most of these supplies were incomplete. Only 66 of housewives demonstrated knowledge about first aid for burns and falls; 88 took preventive measures against burns and falls and 51 had an action plan in case serious injury occurred. Knowledge levels of housewives reflect unacceptable levels of preparedness. Education is a significant predictor of preparedness. Conclusion :Household emergency preparedness is poor. It can be encouraged by community based outreach and education programmes focused on prevention and treatment of common injuries
Subject(s)
Accidental Falls , Burns , Family Characteristics , First Aid , Health Education , SudanABSTRACT
Abstract:Road traffic injuries are a major global public health concern. Millions of disabilities and death occur every year around the whole world. Low and middle income countries suffer more from road traffic injuries;subsequent complications and deaths. Studies have shown that these deaths could be prevented and injured persons would receive proper pre-hospital management and prompt ambulance services. This case study was conducted in three main hospitals in Khartoum State. The aim of the study was to explore pre-hospital and early hospital management provided to road traffic victims. One hundred seventy sixinjured persons were explored in this study. The study revealed that 53 (30) of the respondents had received first aid at the scene of the accident. Most victims arrived to hospitals with private cars in less than five hours. In hospitals; they were seen by doctors who were in charge. They received medical care such as sedation procedures to stop bleeding. Poor; delayed and incomplete pre-hospital or in-hospital management were the main findings of this study
Subject(s)
Accidents , Emergency Medical Services , First Aid , Hospitals , Management Audit , Public Health , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
Background: The growing incidence of terrorism and/or disasters across the world makes it important that all healthcare professionals get empowered with the skills to offer first aid to selfor others when the need arises. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge and willingness to practice basic life saving first aid care (FAC) among community pharmacists in a metropolitan city; South West Nigeria Methods: This study was conducted with the aid of structured interview and questionnaires among registered community pharmacists in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos State and thereports obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The feedback showed that almost all (136; 96.1) of the respondents could correctly define first aid care and also gave the correct aim of the provision of first aid care. Majority 126 (88.1) had been involved in the practice of life saving first aid care though only very few (13; 9.1) attended arecent training on FAC. However; their practice of FAC was affected by lack of adequate FA skills; the inability of most clients to pay for their bills; lack of cooperation from other members of the healthteam regarding referral of FAC cases in Lagos state; and lack of standardized skills acquisition protocols for the training of community pharmacists in the provision of FA. Conclusion: The community pharmacists in the two study areas demonstrated good knowledge offirst aid care but few applied this knowledge in their daily practice. The pharmacists indicated willingness to practice first aid effectively if properly trained. There is a need to sensitize all stakeholders to ensure that good quality first aid care services are made available in the community pharmacies