KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AMONG NURSES WORKING AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS, IN HAWASSA CITY, SIDAMA, ETHIOPIA, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Basic Life Support (BLS) is the foundation for saving lives after cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and choking in adults, children, and infants. In hospital cardiac arrest situations as well as community emergency calls, nurses are frequently the initial responders; as a result, their proficiency in basic life support is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes. However, little is known about the knowledge and practice of basic life support in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess knowledge, practice, and their associated factors toward basic life support among nurses working at public hospitals in Hawassa City, Sidama, Ethiopia, in 2023. Methodology: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to 15, 2023, in Hawassa City public hospitals with a sample size of 410 study participants selected using simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was applied to control the effects of some variables on the outcome variables, and odd ratios were calculated to determine the strength of the association. Results were interpreted as an association if the p-value was < 0.05 at 95% CI. Descriptions of data were made using tables, percentages, and graphs. Results: A total of 375 participants took part in the study, with a response rate of 91.5%. About one-fourth of 102 (27.2%) [95% CI (22.7–31.7)] and 106 (28.3%) [95% CI (23.7–32.9)] were found to be knowledgeable and have good practices towards basic life support, respectively. Being female, age and work experience were found to be significantly associated with knowledge of BLS. Being male, Nurses’ who had taken training and good knowledge level nurses towards basic life support were found to be significantly associated with practice of BLS. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that nurses working at public hospitals in Hawassa City's overall knowledge and practice of basic life support were poor. Therefore, more work needs to be done to increase nurses’ knowledge and practice in order to reduce avoidable deaths caused by unexpected emergencies such as choking, drowning, or sudden cardiac arrest. Thus, subsequent training and education on basic life support are mandatory to achieve the desired outcome.