Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 199 (C-2002/3)First Aid Study Among Police in Al-AinStudent Authors: Alya Saeed Ahmed Saeed AbuZinjal, Dalal Moh'd Saeed KhalfanAl-Mansouri, Ruwayya Rashed S.R. Al-MazroueiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. P. Barss, Dr. M.M. HossainAbstract:Objectives To evaluate the knowledge and attitude towards first aid of police in AlAin..Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey. Computer-generated randomsampling was used as a method of sampling. 150 out of 300 subjects were randomlyselected in Al Ain city. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 29 questionswas distributed to the subjects for evaluating their knowledge and attitude towardsfirst aid. The study population included 147 police men 109 Emirate and 38 Omani.116 out of 147 had first aid training 80 Emirate and 36 Omani. Data analysis wasdone using SPSS. The analysis included frequencies, cross tabulation, stratification ofconfounding variables, and use of chi square for assessing significance.Results 116 subjects (77%) received first aid training and 42 only have certificates.Knowledge: 60% have scored between 51 and 75. The subjects with no certificatehad scored higher than the subject with certificates. It was shown that the higher theeducation the better the knowledge. 21% of the police men were able to make surethat the place was safe before providing help to the others. However, 54% of thesubjects could ensure the clear airway before starting resuscitating any person. 71%of the subjects were able to treat bleeding cases; however 50% only know how to dealwith the electrical accidents. 38% of the subjects can recognize signs of shock and4% only know how to manage detergent ingestion. 54% of the subjects are able tomanage cervical spin injuries. 2% of the subjects were able to treat patients withsnake bite. They have deficiency in recognizing the triage priority in which 45% onlycould transport a person with chest injury (pain) first, and 23% could transport aperson who has large bruises and confused first. Attitude: the subjects who scoredhigh wants more training and think that the first aid training should not be limited tothe medical staff only which is the opposite to the subjects who scored low.Conclusion The police have good knowledge; however, not adequate to help people.Based on that, more first aid courses should be introduced which is properly revisedand regularly updated. The subjects require more emphasis in recognizing the casesthat require urgent management and transfer (triage priority).