Awareness of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) among University of Ghana Students and an Assessment of their Willingness to Practice CPR

Abstract

Introduction: Sudden cardiac arrest is a gradually emerging global public health issue. Prompt administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a bystander is pivotal to improve the already slender chances of surviving cardiac arrest which occurs outside the premises of a health facility. In response, many nations have focused efforts on promoting CPR in the community to increase bystander CPR. Tertiary institutions are considered ideal settings for CPR promotion and training as the students are thought to be apt potential bystanders in the community. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among University of Ghana students. Methods: The design was a cross-sectional analytical study and it employed a quantitative approach. A total of 350 students were randomly sampled from 4 halls of residence at the University of Ghana, Legon campus. Information on demographic characteristics, previous CPR training, CPR knowledge, willingness to practice CPR and its influencing factors were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analysed using STATA version 15 software. Awareness of CPR was assessed using descriptive statistics. Relationships between CPR knowledge level and willingness level as dependent variables and demographic characteristics and previous CPR training status as independent variables were evaluated using Poisson regression and linear regression. Results: The mean age was 21.3 years (SD=3.2), predominant age category was 20-25 years and 54.7% of the respondents were males. Most respondents were affiliated to the college of humanities (46.6%) and 16.9% were students from the health sciences. 16.8% respondents lived with a family member who was suffering from a CVD. Of the 320 questionnaires that were fully completed (response rate of 91.4%), 34.4% had no prior knowledge about CPR. Among those with prior knowledge of CPR, the most common sources were from movies and TV shows (32%). Only 13.4% of the students had obtained previous CPR training, most of which were from the college of health sciences (44.2%). The average knowledge score was 4.02 (SD = 2.2) out of a total of 10, which was considered inadequate in comparison to studies in other countries. Students with previous CPR training had higher knowledge scores (5.2, SD=1.8) than those without training (3.8, SD=2.2). Respondents’ attributes such as age, sex, year of study, religion were not strong predictors of CPR knowledge score. Students had an overall positive willingness towards CPR with 92.5% answering that they were willing to learn CPR if the opportunity arose. However, students had some concerns about performing to strangers due to reasons such as fear of infection, fear of causing harm and lack of confidence (76.6%, 58.8% and 65.2% respectively). Males were more willing to perform CPR than females (p<0.05). Respondents who had a cohabiting family member with a cardiovascular disease were more willing to perform CPR than those without this attribute in both univariate and multivariable linear regression (Coeff 2.8 p<0.05 and coeff 2.0, p<0.05 respectively). Conclusion: Although the level of knowledge about CPR among the University students was inadequate, they indicated satisfactory willingness to learn and practice CPR. Relevant stakeholders in health care delivery must take advantage of this interest to train university students in basic CPR skills so that they can offer timely bystander CPR and help reduce the mortality associated with sudden cardiac arrest.