Exploring Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning Basic Life Support: A Questionnaire Survey Study

Abstract

Background: Nurses are usually the first witnesses to sudden cardiac arrest in the hospital. Nurse training efficiency determines the effectiveness and outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Basic life support (BLS) was designed to achieve this goal. However, when received by adequately trained healthcare professionals, BLS reduces in-hospital deaths. Objective: To assess nurses’ knowledge regarding basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation among nursing professionals and to design a proposed training program for nurses working in Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital to meet their training needs. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted at Al-Najaf City in the southern region of Iraq in Al-Najaf teaching hospital from February 24th, 2022, to March 20th, 2022, in order to assess the nurses’ knowledge concerning basic life support. The methodological strategies for data collection used a needs assessment questionnaire survey, participative observation, and questionnaires to evaluate the need to learn, the educational practices, and their methodology, allowing for grouping the results according to nurses' expectations. Results: As the study shows, most of them had not attended some BLS training previously, and their knowledge about BLS was poor. The current study results showed that most nurses had a low-to-moderate knowledge level. Conclusion: Knowledge about BLS is mandatory for health professionals, and knowledge about basic life support and resuscitation skills is very low among nurses working in Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital.