Knowledge and Attitude of Health Care Staff in First Aid for Minor Burns

Abstract

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of first aid for minor burns of health care workers in a university hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 402 subjects including nurses (n = 163), medical technicians (n = 94), technicians/patient care support personnel (n = 145) participated. Data were collected by face-to-face interview technique using our 2 evaluation forms (characteristics of participants was form 1 and first aid knowledge on minor burns was form 2) (P < .005). RESULTS: Mean age was 29.7 years. Female to male ratio was 1:0.7. Form 2 was correctly answered by 76.9% of participants. Participants who stated that they have received first aid training on burns was 41.5%, but only 38.3% of the subjects felt confident for providing first aid. Running water was preferred by 85.6%. High education level, receiving first aid training, and seniority in the profession and in the institution were the effective factors for providing proper first aid (P < .005). Female (58.5%), single (59.8%), child-free (61.7%) participants and those who had attended first aid education programs more recently were prone to providing proper first aid than the others (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, many participants had basic knowledge about first aid for minor burns, but they felt unconfident. Health care staff need periodical educational programs specific to them in addition to the basic awareness programs for burn injuries.