EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH CPR EDUCATION: ASSESSING SKILL ACQUISITION AMONG NON-MEDICAL PARTICIPANTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64105/27pye594Keywords:
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Community Training, Bystander CPR, Skill Acquisition, Lay Responders, Hands-On EducationAbstract
Background: Early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) substantially improves survival and neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, yet community awareness and practical readiness remain low in many settings. There is a recognized gap between CPR awareness and the ability to perform effective chest compressions and rescue actions, particularly among non-medical community members.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured CPR education and hands-on training program in improving knowledge, confidence, and practical CPR skills among non-medical participants from urban and rural areas of Wah Cantonment.
Methodology: A one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted among 100 non-medical adults (18–55 years) from Wah Cantonment. CPR knowledge and skills were assessed using an AHA-based questionnaire and manikin checklist before and after a structured training session (lecture, demonstration, and hands-on practice). Data were analyzed in SPSS v25 using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests (p < 0.05).
Results: Of 100 participants (52% male; mean age 31.4 ± 9.2 years; 53% rural), baseline CPR knowledge was low (pretest mean = 4.82 ± 1.91 out of 10). Following the workshop, knowledge improved significantly (posttest mean = 8.76 ± 1.15), yielding a mean difference of 3.94 (t = 19.47, p < 0.001). Practical skill performance showed large absolute gains: correct recognition of unresponsiveness increased from 24.0% to 91.0% (+67%), calling for emergency help from 35.0% to 94.0% (+59%), correct hand position from 15.0% to 89.0% (+74%), maintenance of compression depth and rhythm from 12.0% to 85.0% (+73%), and accurate sequence execution from 10.0% to 88.0% (+78%).
Conclusion: A brief, structured CPR education program combining didactic instruction with supervised hands-on practice produces large, immediate improvements in both CPR knowledge and practical skills among non-medical community participants. Such training is a feasible and effective strategy to enhance community preparedness for cardiac emergencies. To maximize public-health impact, programs should incorporate periodic refresher sessions and broader community engagement measures to sustain skills and translate competence into real-world bystander action.
