[PUBLIC WILLINGNESS TO PERFORM CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND BARRIERS]

Cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death in the Western world. Its pre-hospital survival rates depend on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by those near the person. Despite epidemiological data showing a significant increase in the survival rate of people who had a cardiac arrest and were resuscitated by bystanders, the levels of public willingness to resuscitate are still low.

To examine knowledge, attitudes, and barriers among the Israeli public toward responding in CPR cases.

A total of 218 men and women aged 18-72 participated in a survey that included socio-demographic items, questions probing knowledge of CPR, statements describing attitudes, and statements describing barriers against resuscitation.

Findings showed that respondents expressed positive attitudes toward performing CPR. However, they displayed a low level of knowledge on 60% of the items. In addition, respondents who showed low levels of knowledge regarding CPR also expressed intense barriers against CPR and had more negative attitudes toward CPR. Barriers against performing CPR were found as a mediating variable in the association between knowledge and attitude toward CPR (F= 83.28, p<0.01). The barriers which were expressed at the highest rates were fear of injuring the person while performing CPR (57%), fear of contagion during CPR (45%), and no defibrillator nearby (56%).

The respondents' attitudes toward CPR were associated with various barriers that mediated between them and knowledge about CPR and pre-hospital cardiac arrest. It is recommended to develop intervention programs that emphasize support strategies and tools that reinforce bystander knowledge of and access to proper CPR concerning the barriers exposed. Such programs should focus on broader deployment of defibrillators, use of assistance from emergency hotlines, training programs and media campaigns.