Knowledge and awareness of paediatric basic life support among parents in the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in children is uncommon but significant, with poor survival rates and high morbidity. Choking in children is common but less reported with high mortality.  Early commencement of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in cardiac arrest or following of choking algorithm in a case of choking is important for survival of the victim.  Objectives: To survey the knowledge, awareness and attitudes of parents in Sri Lanka regarding paediatric Basic Life Support (BLS) including early treatment of choking.Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study and questionnaires were administered to parents of children managed at the Preliminary Care Unit (PCU) and wards 2 and 4 of Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo from October 2022 to January 2023. Sample size was calculated according to the Lwanga and Lemeshow method. Total respondents were 350 out of total participants of 415. The questionnaire consisted of four sections for assessment of demography, knowledge and attitude. Total scores of each aspect were analysed with respect to different factors.Results: Of the participants, 95% did not have BLS training and the largest proportion of them was educated only up to the General Certificate of Education (GCE) ordinary level. Knowledge of specific aspects of BLS or choking was demonstrated by only about 10% of the population. Nearly 50% of parents had identified substandard common practices as correct methods. There was no statistically significant correlation between total score of each aspect and previous observations, training or highest educational level. It was assessed with 95% confidence interval. However, seeing BLS had improved knowledge of basic health (p=0.013).  Conclusions: Seeing the procedure on television or other resources had not improved knowledge of BLS. Workshops were the preferred method to improve their knowledge on BLS including the choking algorithm and participants’ educational level was not important in organizing such an event.