KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDSBLS IN KSA.

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disorders are the second most prevalent cause of death globally, behind
auto accidents. The probability of survival in such circumstances is increased by prompt treatment, such
as Basic Life Support (BLS). Therefore, there is an urgent need for everyone to have sufficient
awareness of emergency procedures like BLS, especially health care workers and students. To evaluate
the knowledge and awareness level of basic life support among medical students in KSA.
Methods: This study was cross-sectional study, based on online questionnaire that allowed us to
examine the knowledge and awareness level of basic life support among medical students in Saudi
Arabia. The study population consisted of students studying in medical college in Kingdom Saudi
Arabia, participants were recruited during August 2023 to May 2024.
Results: the total sample size were 732 participants. As regard knowledge score of medical students
towards BLS in KSA, 21.2% demonstrated a high level of knowledge in BLS, while a majority of 55.9%
fell within the medium knowledge level category. Additionally, 23.0% of students were classified as
having a low level of knowledge in BLS. Moreover, awareness score of medical students towards BLS
revealed that 48.2%, fall under the High-Level category. Furthermore, 47.3% of respondents
demonstrating a moderate level of awareness. However, it is worth noting that a small proportion of
respondents, accounting for 4.5%, exhibit a low level of awareness towards BLS. Additionally, there
was a statistically significant relation between knowledge level and age (p value=0.002), academic year
(p value=0.011) and GPA (p value=0.011). It also shows statistically insignificant relation to gender,
nationality, and marital status.
Conclusion: the study conducted among medical students in Saudi Arabia revealed varying levels of
knowledge and awareness regarding basic life support (BLS) with the majority having adequate levelof knowledge and awareness. A significant relationship was observed between knowledge level and
factors such as age, academic year, and GPA. Discrepancies in BLS education and preparedness were
noted in other studies across different regions, highlighting the importance of consistent and
comprehensive BLS training for medical students worldwide. Addressing these gaps in knowledge and
skills can significantly enhance the ability of healthcare providers to respond effectively to emergencies
and improve patient outcomes