Basic Life Support (BLS) Knowledge Among the Ha'il Region Population, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aims and background This study aims to evaluate Basic Life Support (BLS) knowledge among residents of the Ha'il region. It will reveal the public's familiarity with BLS and identify sources of BLS knowledge. The findings can guide policymakers in improving BLS training, potentially saving lives, especially during cardiac emergencies. Annually, heart attacks and strokes cause millions of deaths, with projections indicating a potential increase without intervention. In Saudi Arabia and globally, public awareness and education on BLS are insufficient, highlighting the need for better dissemination of BLS knowledge to improve emergency response before ambulance arrival. Objectives Measuring the level of BLS knowledge among the Ha'il region population, seeking the sources from which individuals acquire their BLS knowledge, and determining various factors that may influence BLS knowledge among the Ha'il population. Methods In Ha'il, Saudi Arabia, the survey was disseminated to the general public and included 380 participants. All participants are residents of Ha'il and are at least 18 years old. Data were collected via an online questionnaire, which was validated and translated into Arabic. Results The study surveyed 380 adults aged 18-36, with 62% (n = 236) females and 38% (n = 144) males. Most (60%) had a university degree, 46% were employed, and 29% were students. Slightly over half (51%) of participants were aware of BLS. Among those aware, 17% were very aware of the importance of BLS, while 42% had moderate awareness. The remaining participants had no awareness of BLS. A significant majority (83%) of participants believed that BLS increases the chances of patient survival. Conclusions The vast majority of people think that BLS is essential, but awareness and training are lacking. There were gender disparities in BLS willingness, with women being more conscious of and inclined to pursue BLS training. Furthermore, age and BLS awareness were related.