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Public knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Republic of Slovenia

Allgemeinwissen über kardio-pulmonale-Reanimation (CPR) in der Republik Slowenien

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Zusammenfassung

ZIEL DER STUDIE: In der Republik Slowenien wird von Laien bei einem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand selten mit der Reanimation begonnen. Ziel der Studie war es, das Wissen der Bevölkerung über notwendige Maßnahmen bei einer Kardio-Pulmonalen-Reanimation (CPR) zu erheben. METHODEN: Es wurde eine zufallsgesteuerte Telefonbefragung mit Hilfe von »CATI« (»computer assisted telephone interview«) durchgeführt (n = 500). Abgefragt wurden demografische Parameter, das Wissen über Erkennen und richtiges Verhalten bei einem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand, praktische Erfahrungen in der Reanimation (z.B. durch Training, Kurse), sowie Kenntnis der Notrufnummer. ERGEBNIS: 70% der 500 Befragten gaben an Schulungen über CPR absolviert zu haben, wobei bei 80% die letzte Schulung mehr als 10 Jahre zurücklag. Weniger als die Hälfte der Befragten wusste, dass die CPR aus Beatmung (47%) und Herzdruckmassage (45%) besteht. Personen die einmal eine Schulung absolviert hatten, gaben doppelt so häufig die richtige Antwort an. Das detaillierte Wissen über die CPR war sehr mangelhaft. Nur 1% der Befragten gaben den Rhythmus der Herzdruckmassage korrekt an, 2% kannten das Verhältnis zwischen Herzdruckmassage und Beatmung für Erwachsene und nur 3 von 500 Befragten beantworteten beide Fragen richtig (<1%). Position und Krafteinsatz bei der Herzdruckmassage wurde von 38% bzw. 13% der Befragten korrekt angegeben. Geschulte Personen konnten diese Fragen deutlich besser beantworten. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: In der slowenischen Bevölkerung sind die Sofortmaßnahmen bei einem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand nur wenig bekannt. Geschulte Laien haben ein signifikant höheres Wissen über lebensrettende Sofortmaßnahmen (CPR). Breit angelegte Schulungsmaßnahmen sind notwendig um die derzeitige Situation zu verbessern.

Summary

AIM: In a case of cardiac arrest lay people in Republic of Slovenia rarely start basic life support procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of knowledge about and attitude towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation in lay population. METHOD: A cross-sectional telephone survey using computer-assisted telephone interview method was performed in August and September 2006. Questionnaire contained sections regarding participant demographics, knowledge of cardiac arrest signs and of cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures (CPR), previous courses of CPR training, and the awareness of emergency phone contact number. RESULTS: We interviewed 500 subjects. Nearly 70% of subjects had attended courses on CPR, but nearly 80% of them did so more than 10 years ago. Less than half of the subjects knew that CPR include rescue breathing (47%) and chest compressions (44.6%). Subjects who passed training on CPR knew that twice more often (p < 0.001). Knowledge on resuscitation skills was generally poor. Only 1.2% knew the rate of chest compressions, 2.2% knew the correct compressions-to-ventilations ratio in adult CPR, and only 3 out of 500 subjects (0.6%) knew both. Correct site and correct strength for chest compressions were stated in 37.6 % and 13.0 %, respectively. Both the correct site and the correct strength were stated more often in CPR-trained group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Lay public in Republic of Slovenia has poor knowledge on CPR. Knowledge is better in trained versus untrained individuals. Educational campaign in the community would improve response to cardiac emergencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prehospital Emergency Department – SNMP, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Renata Rajapakse

  2. Center for Intensive Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Marko Noč

  3. Department at Medical School University Maribor, Quality manager of PHCC Gorenjska, President of Slovene Family Medicine Society, Chair of Family Medicine, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

    Janko Kersnik

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  1. Renata Rajapakse
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  2. Marko Noč
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  3. Janko Kersnik
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Correspondence to Renata Rajapakse.

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Rajapakse, R., Noč, M. & Kersnik, J. Public knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Republic of Slovenia. Wien Klin Wochenschr 122, 667–672 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-010-1489-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-010-1489-8

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