Project 'Week of Resuscitation': Public relations work and education programmes improve the people's knowledge about resuscitation. Results of a survey study with 2004 participants

Brinkrolf R, Bohn A, Lukas R, Heyse M, Van Aken H, Hahnenkamp K

Abstract

Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a bystander before the arrival of the emergency services is regarded as a positive influencing factor to the probability of surviving cardiac arrest. To increase the low rate of bystander-CPR in Germany, the so-called ``Week of Resuscitation{''} is organized since 2013. We conducted a prospective survey to determine the campaign's influence on public knowledge and self-confidence to perform a CPR. Using computer-assisted telephone interviewing in two survey waves before and after the campaign in 2013, we questioned 2004 citizens of Muenster. The questionnaire covered 66 items in the fields of ``knowledge to perform lay CPR{''}, ``self-confidence{''}, ``experience{''}, ``use of educational resources{''} and ``socioeconomic data{''}. A significantly higher level of knowledge to carry out bystander-CPR was found after the ``Week of Resuscitation{''} ({''}post-group{''}) than before ({''}pre-group{''}): When asked about the accurate action in case of cardiac arrest, 58.4\% of interviewees in the pre-group, but 68.7\% in the post group named ``thoracic compressions{''}. In the pre-group, 10.1\% of participants chose the correct frequency of thoracic compressions and 5.3.3\% the correct depth. In the post-group, correct answers to these questions were given by 22.7\% and 63.3\%, respectively. Not only the interviewees' knowledge, but also their self-confidence and willingness to perform CPR increased significantly. These results show a low level of knowledge of guideline-accordant CPR. Likewise, we could demonstrate a significant impact of the action week on both, the knowledge and the self-confidence, in Muenster's population of about 300,000 inhabitants. They should encourage undertaking further efforts in promoting bystander-CPR.}}}}}}}}}}}}