Knowledge, Awareness, Attitude and Practice of Secondary School Students Toward Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): An Intervention Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/ijcs.v9i2.559Keywords:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Drowning, Secondary school students, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, CPR educationAbstract
Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an essential life-saving skill for emergencies such as drowning and asphyxia among school-aged children. Early CPR education may improve students’ readiness to respond during emergencies. This study evaluated the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices (KAAP) of secondary school students towards CPR before and after a structured training intervention.
Methods: A pre- and post-intervention study was conducted among 121 students at Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on CPR knowledge, awareness, attitudes, practices, and barriers. Students participated in theoretical and supervised hands-on CPR training. Descriptive statistics were used to compare outcomes before and after the intervention.
Results: Before training, students showed moderate CPR knowledge but limited practical skills. After the intervention, practice scores improved from 42.3% to 68.3%, while awareness scores increased from 42.3% to 49%. Although students demonstrated positive attitudes towards CPR, fear of harming the victim and low confidence remained major barriers.
Conclusion: Structured CPR training improves knowledge, awareness, and practical skills among secondary school students. Regular hands-on training and refresher sessions are recommended to enhance confidence and emergency preparedness.
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