Effects of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Automated External Defibrillator Training among Schoolchildren in Slovenia: A Pre- and Post-test Cohort Study

Zdr Varst. 2021 Mar 18;60(2):131-137. doi: 10.2478/sjph-2021-0019. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: A low proportion of bystanders in Slovenia are willing to provide resuscitation to people experiencing cardiac arrest. We measured knowledge acquired after cardiopulmonary resuscitation training among Slovenian children in the final three grades of primary school.

Methods: This pre- and post-test cohort study included 566 schoolchildren aged 12-15 years. From April to May 2018, we administered a 15-item questionnaire to children in 15 primary schools, to assess the effects of theoretical and practical cardiopulmonary resuscitation training on their knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation at 1-2 months after training. Data were processed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses.

Results: A significantly greater level of post-training knowledge was noted in all three equally sized school grade groups (p=0.001). The youngest group (mean age 12.5 years) exhibited the greatest increase in knowledge, with test scores increasing by an average 2.65 (range 0-15) points. Age (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.037), female sex (p=0.006), and previous resuscitation training (p=0.024) were significant independent predictors of pre-training knowledge level. Sex was the only predictor significantly influencing knowledge levels after training (p=0.002); girls scored up to 0.7 points higher than boys, both before and after training.

Conclusions: Among Slovenian schoolchildren aged 12-15 years, a significantly improved level of theoretical knowledge was demonstrated after cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. The introduction of cardiopulmonary training may be most effective in children aged 12.5 years (seventh graders). Early, compulsory resuscitation training might reduce social barriers to performing resuscitation, which may eventually translate into better post-cardiac arrest outcomes.

Uvod: V Sloveniji je delež laikov, ki so pripravljeni oživljati osebo v srčnem zastoju, majhen. Z namenom vpeljave obveznih izobraževalnih vsebin iz oživljanja v osnovne šole smo si zadali za cilj izmeriti stopnjo znanja, ki jo osnovnošolci v zadnji triadi osnovne šole pridobijo po izobraževanju o temeljnih postopkih oživljanja z uporabo avtomatskega zunanjega defibrilatorja.

Metode: V kohortni raziskavi tipa »pred–po«, ki je zajemala 566 učencev, starih med 12 in 15 let, smo z vprašalnikom, sestavljenim iz 15 vprašanj, v 15 šolah v obdobju od aprila do maja 2018 preverili učinek teoretičnega in praktičnega izobraževanja iz oživljanja na nivo znanja učencev dva meseca po izvedenem izobraževanju. Podatki so bili obdelani z univariatno, bivariatno in multivariatno analizo.

Rezultati: Stopnja znanja se je po izvedenem izobraževanju v vseh treh po velikosti primerljivih razredih značilno izboljšala (p = 0,001). Največji napredek so dosegli učenci sedmega razreda, torej najmlajši (povprečna starost 12,5 let; p = 0,001), ki so v povprečju dosegli za 2,65 točk višjo oceno (razpon 0–15 točk). Neodvisni napovedni dejavniki nivoja znanja pred izvedenim izobraževanjem so bili starost (p = 0,001), indeks telesne mase (p = 0,037), ženski spol (p = 0,006) ter predhodna prisotnost na izobraževanju o oživljanju (p = 0,024); po izobraževanju pa je bil z nivojem znanja povezan le spol učencev (p = 0.002). Deklice so tako pred izobraževanjem kot po njem dosegle za 0,7 točk višjo oceno od dečkov.

Zaključek: V veliki kohorti slovenskih osnovnošolcev, starih med 12 in 15 let, smo dokazali značilno višjo stopnjo teoretičnega znanja po izvedenem izobraževanju. Uvedba izobraževanja o temeljnih postopkih oživljanja je najbolj učinkovita pri 12,5 letih (7. razred osnovne šole). Zgodnja uvedba obveznega izobraževanja o temeljnih postopkih oživljanja bi lahko zmanjšala ovire pri nudenju oživljanja, kar bi dolgoročno lahko povečalo delež

Keywords: AED; CPR; basic life support; cardiac arrest; education; nurses.

Grants and funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.