ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate parental knowledge of first aid procedures on children.

We enrolled 312 well educated parents with a good socioeconomic status. Parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire which tested knowledge of first aid regarding fever, trauma, poisoning, burns, dehydration, respiratory distress, convulsion and bites. Each question was placed into one of the two categories as either medical and surgical, and differences in accuracy between the two categories were contrasted. Additionally, every question was also placed into groups, as medical emergencies, environmental emergencies and traumatic emergencies then, answers were documented and were evaluated according to the responses.

There was no statistically significant difference between correct responses to medical and surgical questions (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistical significance when the questions were separated into groups as medical, environmental and traumatic emergencies (p < 0.05). Questions about traumatic emergencies were answered less accurately when compared to both other groups. There was also a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in accurate responses when the questions were grouped according to content; fever, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, burns, bleeding, injuries, poisoning and bites. Responses about first aid in neurological and poisoning emergencies were less accurate.

Parental knowledge of first aid procedures in children is insufficient. Education programmes should be made by healthcare provider in all fields.

Keywords: Child, first aid, knowledge level, parents