Knowledge and attitudes towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the community

This study examined basic aspects of knowledge and attitudes towards resuscitation in a New Zealand urban community.

Using a telephone survey, we questioned 400 subjects aged (over 17 years of age), on their prior training, knowledge, and attitudes towards resuscitation.

Seventy-four percent of subjects had previously been taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Of these, 12% had been taught during the previous year, and 63% over 5 years previously. Older subjects were less likely to have learnt CPR than younger subjects. Seventy-three percent of those surveyed desired to know more about resuscitation (than they currently did) and 70% thought that resuscitation should be a compulsory component of the New Zealand Driver's Licence test. Sixty-three percent said they would be willing to perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation on a stranger. CPR knowledge was poor, however, with only 4% knowing an acceptable rate at which to perform chest compressions, and only 9% knowing the correct compression-to-ventilations ratio for adult CPR. Overall knowledge was highest for those taught in the previous year, and for those persons aged between 26 and 45 years.

Although attitudes of the community toward CPR are positive, theoretical knowledge relating to basic CPR is poor. This suggests that present community CPR educational strategies have limited efficacy.