Capacity building initiative for first-aid trainers and providers from the community and for the community: A quasiexperimental pilot study in schools

Abstract

Introduction: Schools provide an ideal setting for teaching first-aid skills. A concern is who should train these students when medical doctors and paramedics are busy in hospitals. School teachers can be enabled with instructors' skills for delivering first-aid training to students under the supervision of one lead instructor. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured first-aid training by trained teachers on knowledge and practice of first aid among school children of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

Methods: This was a school-based pre- and post-test study. A convenient sample of 109 students (30-40 in each group) were recruited. The first phase was the assessment of needs by focus group discussion with school teachers and students, followed by the development and validation of the module and questionnaire. In the implementation phase, teachers were trained in first aid and facilitation skills, followed by students' training. Knowledge and skill assessment was carried out. Feedback was noted.

Result: Need assessment interviews revealed first aid is needed for injuries and bleeding, sprain and fractures, basic life support, choking, nose bleed, animal/insect bites, and lifting/transport of victims. The pretest mean score of students was 6 (2) and increased to 16 (2.1). The relative learning gain was 167%, and absolute was 50%. All students were satisfied with the course and instructors. The facilitation skills score of teachers increased from 39-49 just after training to 67-72 by the end of the second workshop.

Conclusion: Teachers as facilitators for first-aid training of school students were found to be effective and feasible, and students were highly satisfied with the course and facilitators.

Keywords: Capacity building; first aid; schools.