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| Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2002): |
First-aid training and bystander actions at traffic crashes--a population study.
Full Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Traffic crashes constitute a major, worldwide public-health problem that cause disabilities, life-long suffering, and huge economic losses. When a person is injured in a traffic crash, actions taken by bystanders often are of crucial importance. To perform first-aid actions in a correct manner, bystanders, often laypersons, need both the courage and the knowledge to do so. For preventive purposes, society spends large resources to inform and educate the public in order to enhance people's ability to take correct actions. However, there only is little information on the rate in a population of persons who have had first-aid training, have been bystanders at a traffic crash, on the actions taken by such persons, and on effects of first-aid training on patient care.
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to acquire knowledge about:
(1) the prevalence of first-aid training; (2) the incidence of being a bystander and of the first aid provided at traffic crashes and other emergencies; and (3) the impact of first-aid training on the risks people take in road traffic.
METHODS:
A questionnaire was administered to 2,800 randomly selected persons aged 18-74 years.
RESULTS:
The response rate was 67.5%. During the previous five years, 39% of the population had received first-aid training, with a higher rate among younger individuals and those with a higher education. After training, 30% of the respondents had used their skills, and 41% took fewer risks in traffic, particularly those who were older or had a lower level of education. Fourteen percent of those with training (significantly more men) had been bystanders at a traffic crash. At 20% of the crashes, a bystander had administered first aid, and one-third of those who provided such assistance had had use of their training.
CONCLUSION:
Intensified first-aid training of the general public could lead to citizens who are more cautious in traffic and to bystanders who provide more immediate and adequate first aid at traffic crashes and other emergencies.
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Author information
Author/s: Larsson, Eva M (EM); Mártensson, Niklas L (NL); Alexanderson, Kristina A E (KA);
Affiliation: Department of Health and Society, Division of Social Medicine and Public Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping, Sweden.
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Prehospital and disaster medicine : the official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the World Association for Emergency and Disaster Medicine in association with the Acute Care Foundation (Prehosp Disaster Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: -2002 Jul-Sep; vol 17 (issue 3) : pp 134-41
Dates: Created 2003/03/11; Completed 2003/03/27; Revised 2007/07/31;
PMID: 12627916, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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