National population based survey on the prevalence of first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator skills in Singapore

• Published in: Resuscitation 2013-11, Vol.84 (11), p.1633-1636
• Main Authors: Ong, Marcus Eng Hock, Quah, Joy Li Juan, Ho, Andrew Fu Wah, Yap, Susan, Edwin, Nausheen, Ng, Yih Yng, Goh, E Shaun, Leong, Benjamin Sieu-Hon, Gan, Han Nee, Foo, David Chee Guan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; AED; Aged; Attitudes; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - statistics & numerical data; CPR; Defibrillators - statistics & numerical data; Emergency; Female; First aid; First Aid - statistics & numerical data; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Knowledge; Life-saving skills; Male; Middle Aged; Singapore
• ISSN: 0300-9572; 1873-1570
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2013.05.008

Abstract Aim This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices among Singapore residents towards life-saving skills and providing emergency assistance in the community using a population representative sample. Methods A population based, random sample of 7840 household addresses were selected from a validated national sampling frame. Respondents were interviewed using face-to-face interview method. One adult aged between 18 and 69 years within each household was randomly selected using the “next birthday” method. Results The response rate achieved was 65.2% with 4192 respondents. The distribution of age, gender and ethnic group were similar to the Singapore resident population for 2009. A high proportion of participants believed that adults should be trained in first aid (89.1%) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (82.6%) while a lower proportion (57.2%) believed this for automated external defibrillator (AED). Proportion who had ever been trained in first aid was 34.3%, CPR was 31.4% and AED was 10.7%. In an emergency, respondents were most willing to use life-saving skills on family members or relatives (87.6%), followed by friends and colleagues (80.7%) and complete strangers (61.3%). Common barriers to applying life-saving skills were lack of knowledge (36%), fear of doing harm (22.1%) and lack of confidence (15.3%). Respondents who were more likely to have current life-saving certification were younger employed Malay male ( p < 0.05). Conclusion This study found that although a high proportion of respondents believed that adults should be trained in first aid, CPR and AED, the proportion who had ever been trained in these skills are much lower.