Knowledge, Practice and Associated Factor of Basic Life Support Among Graduating Class of Medical Students At Selected Medical Colleges in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Basic Life Support (BLS) is a critical set of life-saving techniques that are essential for medical professionals, particularly those in training. As future healthcare providers, graduating medical students must possess not only the technical skills but also the appropriate knowledge and practice towards BLS to effectively respond to emergencies. The ability to perform BLS can significantly impact patient outcomes in situations such as cardiac arrest, where timely intervention is crucial. Understanding factors is vital for enhancing educational strategies and ensuring that future healthcare providers are adequately prepared. Therefore this study aimed at assessing the knowledge, practice and associated factor of basic life support among graduating class of medical students at medical colleges in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Stratified random sampling techniques were utilized at selected medical colleges in Addis Ababa. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was administered to gather data. Data entry was conducted using Epidata 3.1 and subsequently exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis included frequency tables, means with standard deviations. Bivariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Among the study participants, 122(58.1%) and 114(54.3%) have good knowledge and good practice towards basic life support respectively. Government institutions (AOR: 5.277, 95% CI: 1.957-14.227, p=0.001), Prior training in BLS (AOR: 20.816, 95% CI: 8.120-53.363, p=0.000), as was exposure to cardiac arrest situations (AOR: 4.791, 95% CI: 2.117-10.845) p=0.000) was a strong predictor of knowledge. Students who transitioned directly from high school into medicine had poorer knowledge (AOR: 0.194, 95% CI: 0.072-0.522, p=0.001). Similarly, the practice of BLS was significantly associated with the same variables, with prior training showing particularly strong associations (AOR: 10.985, 95% CI: 2.714-44.46, p=0.001). Conclusion: The study reveals that nearly half of the graduating medical students at a selected medical college in Addis Ababa lack adequate knowledge and practice of basic life support (BLS). However, prior training, exposure to cardiac arrest situations, and affiliation with government institutions significantly enhance their knowledge and skills in this area. Keywords: knowledge, Practice, basic life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation