DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1906_25 ISSN: 2277-9531

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of first aid among university students in Changsha, China: A cross-sectional study

Zhu Dingyu, Fan Lingyun, Tan Bingling, Xu Pengcheng, Liu Xin, Lv Zhihong, Li Yating, Yang Yide, Guo Xiaowei, Zhou Junhua
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BACKGROUND:

The timeliness and quality of prehospital emergency care (PHEC) significantly influence patient prognosis. Although research on first-aid Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) has been conducted across various settings in China, empirical research focusing on university students in central China, particularly in key developing metropolises like Changsha, is notably scarce. This study aimed to address this gap by applying the KAP model to evaluate first-aid KAP among university students in Changsha and to explore the core influencing factors and their interrelationships.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This cross-sectional study utilized stratified random sampling to recruit 762 undergraduate students from a university in Changsha in 2025. Data were collected using a validated KAP questionnaire (Cronbach’s α =0.79), divided into three sections: knowledge (15 items), attitude (10 items), and practice (7 items). Descriptive analysis, correlation testing, and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted using SPSS version 25.

RESULTS:

The mean scores for first-aid knowledge, attitude, and practice among Changsha college students were (11.24 ± 1.95), (37.56 ± 4.84), and (25.59 ± 4.00), respectively. A key finding was the absence of a significant correlation between knowledge and practice ( r = 0.027, P > 0.05). However, a positive correlation was observed between first-aid attitude and both aid practice ( r = 0.473, P < 0.001) and aid knowledge ( r = 0.116, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis identified that practical experience and training were pivotal for knowledge acquisition, while attitude was shaped by age, willingness to help, and self-assessed knowledge. Practice was primarily influenced by training, experience, and self-assessment.

CONCLUSION:

Set against the backdrop of Changsha, this study uncovers a distinct “high knowledge reserve-medium attitude-low practical application” gap. Students demonstrate a willingness to train, yet fear of legal risks and lack of self-confidence remain primary barriers. The findings offer evidence-based insights for crafting tiered, practical-skill-focused educational strategies in universities across Changsha and similar cities, and highlight the necessity for robust legislative protection and social collaboration to bolster public willingness to provide first aid.

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