Factors influencing the knowledge and perceptions of Senior High School Students on Basic Life Support in the Asuogyaman District, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: In Ghana, cardiovascular disease burden is on the rise which increases cardiac arrests and other related cardiovascular emergencies. Basic life support (BLS) skills including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are crucial in the early minutes before reporting to the hospital as they significantly increase survival rates. Despite the need for rapid emergency response, there is low competence level of BLS among the general population, particularly senior high school students. This study sought to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions regarding BLS training in Ghana, to help put in measures and inform policies to integrate such trainings into senior high school curriculum.   Method: The study was a quantitative study using a cross-sectional design among students in selected senior high schools in the Asuogyaman District. Ethical approval, permissions and informed consent were obtained. The sample size was 254 students selected at random and a structured closed and open-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 and Microsoft Excel 2016, applying descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests (p < 0.05).