Effectiveness of an Instructional Package on First Aid Management for Professional Drivers on their Competency in Providing First Aid to Victims

Aim of the study: To assess the effectiveness of an instructional package for professional drivers on their competency in providing first aid to victims of accidents.

Materials and Methods: An experimental research using one group pre-test post-test design was conducted on convenient sample of 30 professional drivers working at selected institutions of Uttarakhand. Structured Knowledge questionnaire on First Aid management and Observational practice check list on First Aid management, developed by the researcher, were used to collect data from participants. The maximum possible score of knowledge and practice was 25 and 15 respectively. The tool and the instructional package covered five aspects of First Aid: Basic/Introduction of First Aid, Bleeding points, Immobilization, Transportation of patient and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R). Training programme was provided by the investigator through demonstration using simulation. The knowledge and practice of the drivers was assessed immediately before and a week after after training programme was conducted.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 40.6 ± 7.64 years and majority (90%) of them were completed at least higher secondary education. Nearly three fourths (73.33%) of the participants had never attended any First Aid training programme before. The knowledge score (maximum possible score was 25) was significantly improved from 13.73±5.42 to 20.40±3.01 (p<0.05; paired t-test). The practice score (maximum possible score was 15) was significantly increased from 4.77±2.6 to 12.40±1.28 (p<0.05; paired t-test). The maximum gain in knowledge was observed in the area of C.P.R (39.5%) followed by Transportation of victim (30%) and basics of First Aid (25.5%). In practice, the maximum gain was observed in bleeding points-related practice (61%) followed by CPR (48%). There was significant positive correlation between post-test knowledge and practice scores (r=0.691).

Conclusion: The outcome of the research suggested that the professional drivers had inadequate knowledge and practice score regarding First Aid and it can be effectively improved by a well designed training programme, which in turn might help saving many lives of accident victims. Further studies are recommended with larger sample and preferably with a control group.