ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVELS OFCARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN NORTHERN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a lifesaving maneuver if provided at the right time and it can improve the mortality rate in medical emergencies. The accurate knowledge regarding CPR is an essential and integral part to deliver an adequate and successful resuscitation in such cases. This study aims to assess the knowledge among undergraduate medical students in CPR at the Northern Region Universities of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study assessing CPRknowledge among medical students. The data was carried out on 731 medical students (231 fourth year, 285 fifth year and 215 sixth year medical students) from different colleges in the northern Saudi area by an online self-administered questionnaire that aimed to evaluate their knowledge regarding basic life support (BLS) and CPR techniques in neonates, children, and adults.

Results: The data showed the mean knowledge scores of CPR among medical students according to university are represents as follows University of Tabuk (50.5%), University of Hail (47%), Al Jouf University (45%), and Northern border university (43%). The mean knowledge scores of CPR among medical students according to academic year are represents as follows fourth year (45.5%), fifth-year (47.6%), and sixth year (45.3%).

Conclusions: The level of BLS awareness among medical students is generally poor. The introduction of regular BLS courses into the undergraduate curriculum is a must to increase the level of knowledge among these future physicians. A shorter training period as well as recurrent and regular refreshing courses are also recommended.