A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding first aid among adolescents in selected PUC, Bangalore with a view to develop an informational booklet.

 

Aradhana Maniyappan

Assisstant Professor, Department of Medical -Surgical, Pushpagiri College of Nursing, Tiruvalla.

 

ABSTRACT:

The research project under took was “A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding first aid among adolescents in selected PUC, Bangalore with a view to develop an informational booklet.” A Descriptive research design was adopted for this study. The study was conducted among 60 adolescences at selected colleges from selected PUC Colleges in Bangalore. Adolescence students were selected since they have tendency for strange things and risky behaviours. Adolescence were assessed for their knowledge in the first aid and an informational booklet created., the study sample was selected by non- probability convenient sampling. Objectives of the study 1) assess the level of knowledge of adolescents regarding first aid.2)find out the association between the level of knowledge of adolescents regarding first aid with their selected socio demographic variables.3)develop and administer information booklet on first aid among adolescents. 4)Tool The tool used for data collection consisted of demographic proforma and structured questionnaire, basic introduction of the study was given to the subjects. The analysis of the data was based on the objectives of the study using quantitative and inferential statistics. 5) Methodology: This study was based on non-experimental descriptive research design was selected to assess the knowledge regarding first aid among adolescents in selected PUC, Bangalore with a view to develop an informational booklet. Result: Mean, standard deviation The chi-square value of the level of knowledge of adolescents and selected socio demographic variables was significant at P≤0.05 level. It showed that, obtained chi square value for type of family, educational status of father, educational status of mother, occupational status of father and source of information regarding first aid were higher values (6.8, 16.9, 11.17, 13.58 and 16.13 respectively) when compared to the table value at P≤0.05 level of significance. Hence research hypothesis H₁ is accepted. Area wise mean pre-test knowledge score of adolescents showed that, in the area of general information of first aid, adolescents had mean score of 2.91 with SD 1.09. Adolescents had mean score of 9.83 and SD 2.17 in the area of first aid on wound injury and epistaxis. It was recorded that, first aid on foreign body, dog bites and stings, adolescents had mean score of 2.16 and SD 1.84. The overall mean and SD were 14.90 and 5.10 respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that the knowledge of adolescents regarding first aid were inadequate and measures have to be undertaken to improve their knowledge by self-instructional module.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

“Accidents do happen,

Make first aid as your best mate:

“Safety doesn’t happen accidentally it’s the routine enlightment of knowledge on first aid.

Accidents can happen anywhere at any time, even though some safety measures are still existing. The immediate and appropriate measure taken at the right time can save the life of the patient. It is called as First aid and is defined as " The temporary and immediate treatment given to a person who is injured or suddenly becomes ill using facilities or materials available at that time before regular medical care at earliest". It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel¹.

 

Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. In fact, it is a period of transformation for the first time in their lives, so they may try to acquire more from their peer group than elsewhere. In the search for a unique social identity for themselves, adolescents are frequently confused about what is 'right' and what is 'wrong’. So they may indulge in daring actions which leads to accidents. Studies proved that major accidents occur in this age group. So proper teaching & awareness about how to give first aid to the victims and how to reduce the accidents is needed to reduce the mortality rates ³.

 

According to the National safety council’s report (1952), on the location at which injuries occur, it was reported that 57% was school related injuries occurred in the school building, school playground or while going or coming back from the school and only 43% were non-school injuries and occurred either at home or in public places. Immediate medical attention and early medical help is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with such trauma⁴]’

 

In response to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, guidance from the Health and Safety Executive in the Approved Code of Practice 'First Aid at Work', amended 1997 and advice from the Department for Education and Skills, the Department has issued a detailed policy and guidance to all establishments. It is recognised that there is a need in educational establishments to provide facilities and arrangements for first aid when an accident occurs. First aid is a vital part of every establishment’s provision for health and safety. The aim is to clarify the Department’s policy on the standard and level of first aid provision in schools and to provide guidance for managers to assist them when assessing their needs. It is not possible in most cases to determine precise requirements for first aid provision due to the wide nature of establishment types and activity. Head teachers and managers should assess their own requirements for first aid provision based on local needs and the minimum guidelines².

 

In the light of above facts researchers thought it is important for adolescents to know about the first aid and its management to save the life of victims in emergency situations like accidents, sports injuries, disaster or any other natural calamities.

 

Providing first aid in the emergency situations can be overwhelming and traumatic. Encouraging more people to learn basic first aid and to interview will rely to some extent on the development of improved strategies to provide support to those who have given first aid care in an emergency. Hence first aid training is very important for everybody. Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood.

 

So the investigator feel that it is necessary to impart knowledge to the adolescents regarding selected first aid measures with the help of informational booklet which help them to take appropriate first aid measures in emergencies.⁵

 

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the study are to:

·       assess the level of knowledge of adolescents regarding first aid.

·       find out the association between the pre-test level of knowledge of adolescents regarding first aid with their selected socio demographic variables.

·       develop and administer information booklet on first aid among adolescents.

 

HYPOTHESIS:

·       H₁: There will be significant association between pre-test level of knowledge of adolescents regarding first aid with their selected socio-demographic variables.

·       H_0: There will be no significant association between pre-test level of knowledge of adolescents regarding first aid with their selected socio-demographic variables.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A quantitative research approach was adopted to assess the knowledge regarding first aid among adolescents in selected PUC, Bangalore with NAAC Accredited in A Grade were selected. Descriptive research design was adopted. 60 adolescences were selected with inclusion and exclusion criteria. After conducting the pre-test, the researcher have given the informational booklet with a view to develop knowledge on first aid management. The tool for data collection was structured knowledge questionnaires with demographic Performa. The researcher based on the objectives and hypothesis and consisted of 30 multiple choice questions to assess the knowledge regarding first aid among adolescents in Pre-University college, Hennur The researcher analysed the findings of the study in relation to the objectives and other by using descriptive and inferential statistics

 

RESULTS:

Description of the sample characteristics: This section describes the frequency and percentage wise distribution of demographic variables

 

Figure 1: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples according to Family. (N=60)

 

The data presented in figure 1 shows that most of the samples in this group belongs to Nuclear family

 

Figure 2: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples according to their father’s educational status.      (N=60)

 

The data presented in figure 2 shows that most of the samples in this group have the educational qualification of PG and secondary education.

 

The data presented in figure 3 shows that most of the samples mothers in this group

 

 have UG and higher secondary education

 

Figure 3: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples according to their mother’s educational status.     (N=60)

 

Most of the samples have 43% have secondary education and least number have PG qualification

 

Figure 6: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples according to their monthly income.(N=60)

The data presented in figure 6 shows that most of the sample’s family have the monthly income more than

 

Figure 4: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples according to their Age (N=60)

 

Most of the samples are from 18 age group 48.33% and only 6.67 % from 19 and above age group

 

Figure 5: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples according to their Sex(N=60)

 

Most of the samples are males with 68.33% and rest are females of 32 %

 

Figure 7: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples on pre-test knowledge level (N=60)

 

The data presented in figure 12 shows that most of the samples have inadequate knowledge and non of them have adequate knowledge .

 

Figure 13: Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples on pre-test knowledge level (N=60)

 

The data presented in figure 13 shows that most of the samples in this group belongs to 11 Year (80%) and I Year -20%

 

Figure 8 : Frequency and percentage wise distribution of samples according to their religion (N=60)

 

Most of the samples belongs to Hindu religion and least from muslim religion

 

Table-1: Area wise mean knowledge score of adolescents regarding first aid N=60

 

Table-2: Association between level of knowledge of adolescents with their selected socio demographic variables

 

The above table-2,depicts the association of level of knowledge of adolescents with their selected socio-demographic variables. The obtained chi square value for type of family, educational status of father, educational status of mother, occupational status of father and source of information regarding first aid were higher values (6.8, 16.9, 11.17, 13.58 and 16.13 respectively) when compared to the table value at P≤0.05 level of significance. There was no significant association between demographic variables of adolescents such as age, sex, religion, year of study, occupational status of mother, monthly family income and history of injury or illness (1.37, 0.62, 0.46, 0.30, 4.44, 2.30 and 0.62 respectively) with level of knowledge regarding first aid.

 

INFERENCE:

In this study the obtained chi square value for type of family, educational status of father, educational status of mother, occupational status of father and source of information regarding first aid were higher when compared to the table value at P≤0.05 level of significance, hence the research hypothesis H₁ is accepted.

 

There was no significant association between demographic variables of adolescents such as age, sex, religion, year of study, occupational status of mother, monthly family income and history of injury or illness. (calculated value greater than tabulated valueat0.005 level of significance).

 

The association was obtained by chi square test. It was inferred that the present study showed no significant association between pre-test knowledge with selected demographic variables like religion, place of residence, occupation, income of family and marital status with knowledge (calculated value greater than tabulated valueat0.005 level of significance). Hence the research hypothesis is rejected and null hypothesis is accepted. So there was no significant association between demographic variables and knowledge at 0.005 level of significance.

 

IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY:

The finding of the study has implications for nursing education, nursing practice, nursing research and nursing administration.

 

NURSING EDUCATION

Ø To enhance the knowledge of nurses on first aid t, it should include as an important aspect of basic education programmes in nursing.

Ø Seminar, symposium and workshops can be organized regarding the first aid to improve the knowledge of student nurses.

NURSING PRACTICE

The health teaching in health care area is one of the important aspects in the health care delivery system. Health education regarding first aid can improve the knowledge of adolescents. It helps them to implement in their life and impart knowledge to others.

 

NURSING RESEARCH

Research must be carried out on newer practices and innovative teaching methods are in-corporate. The study will serve as a valuable reference material for future investigations. Further research studies can be conducted on the basis of this study.

 

NURSING ADMINISTRATION

Nursing administers should implement seminars to make nurses aware about first aid.

Ø Public awareness program for the public regarding first aid in order to make them aware.

Ø It also helps the nursing administrators to plan for man power, money, materials, methods and time to conduct successful in-service and public education programme regarding first aid.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH:

Based on the findings of the present study and keeping in mind the limitations of the study, the following suggestions are offered to conduct studies on

Ø The similar study can be conducted in larger samples.

Ø A similar study can be undertaken by utilizing other domains like experimental and comparative study.

Ø A similar study can be conducted by using different teaching methods.

Ø Similar study can be conducted in different settings to find out the significant difference.

 

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY:

The study is limited to:

v Collection of data is only from adolescents in selected PU Colleges, Bangalore.

v Knowledge will be assessed only as the correct response given to the item in knowledge questionnaire.

v 60 adolescents in selected PU colleges, Bangalore.

v 4 weeks of data collection.

 

CONCLUSION:

The present study was conducted to evaluate the Knowledge level of PUC students on first aid in selected colleges of Bangalore.In order to achieve the objectives of the study, Descriptive study was done done. The chi-square Area wise mean pre-test knowledge score of adolescents in the different areas been obtained. The obtained chi square value for the selected demographic variables has higher values to the table P value at P≤0.05 level of significance. There was no significant association between demographic variables and knowledge Hence the research hypothesis H₁ is accepted.

v Informational booklet on first aid management were distributed among students

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I express my sincere gratitude towards the Principal, Prof. Dr. Bharathi and HOD of medical surgical nursing Prof. Maneesh of Karnataka college of nursing, Bangalore. I Express my heartfelt thanks to my parents N. Maniyappan and Rema M and to my best friend Mr. Manu Francis for the limitless support.Last but not the least the students of Indian Academy PUC ,Bangalore

 

REFERENCES:

1.               Parker G Thomas. Introduction to first aid. Available at: URL: http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/8941/1/introduction_to_First_Aid.html.

2.               Dajer J Antonio. First aid. Available at: URL: www.ilo.org/safework_bookshelf/english?content&nd=857170142

3.               Black C. First aid International Federation of Red Cross and RedCrosscent studies. 1997; [3screens]. Available at: http//www.graspoodsafety.org.

4.               Kanchan T, Menezes RG. Mortalities among children and adolescent in Manipal Southern India. JTrauma 2008 Jun;64(6):1600-7.

5.               Obergon PJ. First aid knowledge is important. 2008; [4 screens]. Available at: http://indiastudychannel.com.

 

Received on 23.04.2022         Modified on 30.05.2022

Accepted on 01.07.2022       ©A&V Publications All right reserved