Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to analyze speech and hearing students' knowledge, awareness, and
attitude regarding first aid and basic life support (BLS).
Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey study was performed through a web-based questionnaire
regarding knowledge of first aid and BLS skills, experience, and views about training
on these skills among speech and hearing students.
Results Four-hundred forty-two students from 26 different speech and hearing colleges participated
in the study. About 88.23% of participants reported the necessity of knowledge about
BLS skills and first aids. Fifty-five percent of participants encountered at least
one emergency during their training. There is significant difference between awareness
and confidence in performing these skills (Mann–Whitney U test= 76.5; /z/= −2.39;
p = 0.019; effect size = 0.27). Most of the students (92.5%) reported not being trained
to perform first aid and BLS skills and seek inclusion of these skills in their academic
curriculum.
Conclusions Overall confidence in first aid skills is less in the students of speech and hearing
when compared with the awareness level. Hence, formal training of first aid and BLS
should be introduced into the curriculum to provide students with sound knowledge
and practical skills and help them boost their confidence.
Keywords
first aid - basic life support - audiology - speech and hearing
