Abstract

Background and Aims:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) delivers artificial ventilation and circulation to sustain life until advanced cardiac life support is available and normal cardiopulmonary function is reestablished. CPR has proven to be a vital lifesaving tool. Anyone can learn CPR and use it to help people experiencing medical emergencies like heart attacks, drowning, or electric shock. This can significantly reduce the number of deaths. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study conducted among medical students in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calculated sample size was 196 participants, using an anonymous online survey that was posted on social networking sites. Information was gathered on participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and awareness regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Knowledge regarding CPR was measured using a 16-point scale, on which the participants were rated as having little, some, or Fair/Fair level of knowledge. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Science, with a significant level of p < 0.05.
Result:
Of the 203 medical students, 62.1% were males and 41.4% were between 21 and 23 years old. 55.2% were confident in giving cardiopulmonary massage in the event of cardiac arrest. The majority had moderate knowledge of CPR (54.2%), while 28.1% had poor knowledge. Factors associated with increased knowledge included increasing age, higher academic year level, knowledge on how to perform cardiac massage, attendance at BLS training, and awareness of the location of an automated external defibrillator (AED) or pacemaker.
Conclusion:
Lack of CPR knowledge was found among medical students, particularly in younger students in their junior years. Attending BLS training and developing CPR skills can improve their confidence. Further research into larger sample sizes could offer more insight into this issue.

Key words: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, sudden death, knowledge, medical student