Assessment of Public Knowledge and Attitudes Towards First Aid in the Al Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Accidents, injuries, and medical emergencies can occur unpredictably, with a significant proportion of fatalities in pre-hospital situations resulting from car accidents. Shockingly, about 39% of these fatalities could have been prevented with improved pre-hospital care. This study aimed to assess attitudes and knowledge regarding first aid among 408 individuals through a survey. Participants were surveyed on the importance of first aid learning, advising others to take first aid courses, fear of emergency situations, previous course attendance, and knowledge of specific first aid procedures. Results showed a strong consensus on the importance of first aid training, but many expressed fear of emergencies hindering their aid efforts. Barriers to course attendance included lack of time, unwillingness, and course unavailability. Participants showed varying knowledge levels, correctly identifying the Red Crescent Authority's emergency number but showing discrepancies in appropriate first aid actions for scenarios like car accidents and controlling bleeding. These findings underscore the importance of promoting first aid education and addressing barriers to course attendance. Tailored approaches may be necessary to address specific fears and improve knowledge of first aid procedures, ensuring that individuals are better equipped to respond effectively in emergency situations. By enhancing first aid training and addressing barriers, we can potentially reduce the number of preventable fatalities in pre-hospital settings, improving overall outcomes for individuals in need of emergency care.