Preparedness for handling injuries by female primary school teachers: A cross-sectional survey in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: To assess the preparedness for handling injuries by female primary school teachers based on their knowledge, attitude, practice and their willingness to learn first aid. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire on first aid was provided to female primary school teachers, and the knowledge, attitude, practice and their willingness to learn first aid were investigated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Quantitative data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, categorical variables were analyzed by the Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: In total, 464 teachers of different age groups and education responded. The mean knowledge score was low but the mean attitude score was high. Parental consent was sought by one-fourth of the teachers, and 25.6% of teachers documented the health status of children. Most of the teachers desired to have a first aider, and they were keen on training (62.3%) and educating children (88.1%) on first aid. Knowledge scores were significantly impacted by age (P<0.05) and experience (P<0.01), while specialization impacted mean practice scores (P<0.001). Teachers’ qualification (P<0.05), first action to be taken at the accident site (P<0.05), and frequency of training (P<0.05), were significantly associated with the need of a first aider. Conclusions: Based on the paucity of awareness and expertise, on priority basis, it is important to strengthen teachers’ skills. Child safety is an important public health issue and can be improved by educating and training teachers.

Keywords

• first aid
• school teachers
• accidents
• injury
• child safety
• female