Narrative Review On First Aid Knowledge And Practice Among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

First Aid is the initial, immediate, life in curve rendered to an injured or sick person in life threatening situations by taking effective action to keep the injured or ill person alive in the best possible condition till emergency medical services and treatment can be obtained. First aid training among students is as an important capacity building component of pre-hospital care in communities.

Aim: This literature review aimed to determine whether the published literature demonstrates the knowledge & skills about first aid and CPR in cases of emergency life saving skills developed by under graduate students who have learnt first aid from first aid providers.

Methods

 An extensive search and numerous evaluation of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted for narrative review. Journal articles were retrieved from three databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC) using the search terms ‘first aid’; ‘resuscitation’; ‘training’; ‘under graduate students’; and ‘college’. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and review findings organized thematically.

Results

The search yielded four primary studies of India & other countries under graduate students aged 18–23 years trained by professional first aid providers. Subsequent review identified emergent themes of resuscitative first aid and non-resuscitative first aid. Heterogeneity was apparent in training and evaluation methods, and study quality varied. Reported first aid knowledge retention was mixed.

Conclusion

There is a lack of quality evidence to guide optimal training methods and maximize first aid knowledge retention in under graduate college students. To date, research in this area has been limited. Further research is therefore recommended. Formal evaluation of first aid training providers can help guide training methods and maximize first aid knowledge retention in under graduate college students, thereby building more robust first aid capacity in the community.