Are Saudi Radiological Sciences Students Prepared for Emergencies? Exploring Knowledge, and Attitudes Towards Basic Life Support and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Abstract

Khalid M Alshamrani,1– 3 Alaa A Alkhayyat,1 Rimaz N Arif,1 Adnan AS Alahmadi,4 Shrooq T Aldahery,5 Walaa M Alsharif,6 Abdulaziz A Qurashi6 1College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Radiologic Sciences Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Applied Radiologic Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Khalid M Alshamrani, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, P. O. Box 9515, Internal Mail Code 6610, Jeddah, 21423, Tel [phone] Ext. 46396, Email [email protected]: This study aims to evaluate the preparedness of Saudi radiological sciences students for emergencies by assessing their awareness of cardiac arrest evaluation criteria, knowledge of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillators, and attitudes towards performing CPR.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among students from the radiological sciences program at three Saudi universities. Using a well-established questionnaire, the study employed non-probability convenient sampling. Descriptive statistics were generated, and chi-square test examined associations between categorical variables and Basic Life Support (BLS) training status.Results: Out of 367 students contacted, 261 participated (71.1% response rate). BLS training markedly enhances knowledge of the correct chest compression rate, with 50.9% of trained students demonstrating accurate understanding compared to 27.5% of untrained students (P < 0.0001). A significant correlation was found between BLS training and the ability to perform cardiac massage during cardiac arrest and respiratory standstill, with 44.1% of students demonstrating this knowledge (P < 0.0001). Notably, 80.8% of students without BLS training lacked knowledge of cardiac massage, compared to only 30.4% of those with training. Additionally, 30.6% of students were familiar with defibrillators, and 44.1% knew AED locations (P = 0.0007). Hesitation to perform CPR was mainly due to fear of mistakes (53.6%) and harm concerns (31.1%).Conclusion: Our findings reveal significant gaps in knowledge, confidence, and preparedness for cardiac emergencies among Saudi radiological sciences students, with only 41.4% having completed BLS training. These results highlight the urgent need for comprehensive BLS education to.Keywords: basic life support, awareness, undergraduate students, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, radiologic technology, public health, Saudi Arabia

Keywords

• basic life support
• awareness
• undergraduate students
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• radiologic technology
• public health
• saudi arabia