OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the first aid (FA) knowledge, practice, and attitude of medical and nursing students at Taibah University in Madinah. METHODS: The study involved a cross-sectional online survey of 359 students from different academic years, using a revised and validated questionnaire on FA procedures, which were assessed utilizing a revised iteration of a questionnaire that had been previously validated. RESULTS: Regarding the knowledge score outcomes, the median score was 4, with an interquartile range of (3,5). Approximately 32.3% of participants demonstrated an excellent level of knowledge in first aid. Age exhibited a substantial and positive correlation with knowledge scores (p < 0.001), no significant correlation was observed between age and practice scores (p = 0.782), whereas age exhibited a significant and positive relationship with attitude scores (p < 0.001). Switching to the practice score results, the median practice score was 3, with an interquartile range of 2 to 3. A considerable 39.6% of participants displayed a good level of practice, representing the highest percentage among students. In the context of attitude score findings, the median attitude score was 4, and the interquartile range was 3 to 4, this suggests that the majority of the participants had a positive attitude towards first aid and its importance. Around 27.6% of participants portrayed a good attitude level, followed by 27% who demonstrated an acceptable attitude level. In addition, gender emerged as a differentiating factor in the three primary outcomes, as females achieved superior results across all aspects. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of medical and nursing students at Taibah University have solid FA knowledge, practice, and attitude. Age and education level reflect the impact of FA training and certification, which should be mandatory for all medical students. Further studies are needed to generalize the findings to other contexts.
BACKGROUND: A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical order issued by a doctor. It directs medical professionals to refrain from performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient's breathing or heartbeat ceases. Patients can refuse CPR in an emergency if they have a DNR order. The DNR order includes precise directives about CPR. Instructions for extra therapies like nourishment, other drugs, or painkillers are not included. AIM: The aim of the study is to learn more about the western region's general population's knowledge and attitudes toward DNR orders and identify any challenges that may arise when dealing with DNR patients. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in the western region of Saudi Arabia. An online, self-administered questionnaire was distributed randomly from April 8, 2023 to June 6, 2023. The estimated sample size was 384, and 604 were the collected responses. RESULTS: A total of 383 (63.4%) participants were females, and 221 (36.6%) were males. Regarding the knowledge and attitude of the general population about DNR orders in the western region of Saudi Arabia, 276 (45.7%) study participants had satisfactory knowledge and awareness, while 328 (54.3%) had inadequate knowledge. A total of 343 (56.8%) participants thought that DNR is important; 255 (42.2%) felt that the DNR has reduced the pain of their relatives, and 181 (30%) believed that it has reduced the stress felt by the patient's families. Of participants aged 20-30 years, 58.4% had satisfactory knowledge about DNR orders compared with those aged 50 and above; 76.1% of healthcare workers had satisfactory knowledge versus 26.5% of unemployed participants (P=.001). CONCLUSION: We recommend increasing awareness and knowledge about DNR by conducting educational events about the concept and how to deal with patients who choose to acquire a DNR order.
