Knowledge and attitudes regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation among Jordanian physical education students: a cross-sectional online survey.

Abstract

To examine the knowledge and attitudes regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among Jordanian physical education (PE) students with and without CPR training, and the association between knowledge and attitudes. Cross-sectional survey-based study. Private and public universities in Jordan. A convenience sample of 372 full-time second, third and fourth-year PE students. Primary outcomes were levels of knowledge and attitudes towards CPR, measured using a validated questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included group comparisons (trained vs untrained) and the correlation between knowledge and attitude scores. Of the 372 participants (mean age: 22.0±1.6 years; 51% female), 189 (51%) reported prior CPR training. Only 3% of students demonstrated high knowledge (>80% of correct answers), while 56% had low knowledge (<50% of correct answers). Trained students had significantly higher median knowledge scores (4) compared with their untrained peers (3), p<0.01. Item-level analysis of attitudes revealed that trained students were significantly more likely to perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation on individuals of the opposite sex (p=0.01), perform CPR despite fear of infection (p=0.01) and provide chest compressions to strangers (p<0.01). Weak but statistically significant positive correlations between CPR knowledge and several attitude items were observed (ρ=0.12-0.26, p<0.05). CPR knowledge among Jordanian PE students was low regardless of training. Attitudes were positive, mainly among trained students. There is a need for a structured CPR education in PE that addresses cultural and psychological barriers to improve preparedness for emergency response in athletic settings.