Knowledge and Practice of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Amongst Doctors and Nurses in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, the knowledge and practice of the 2000 CPR guidelines of doctors and nurses in Benin City, Nigeria was evaluated. This cross sectional study was conducted in six health facilities in Benin City. A structured self administered questionnaire was used to test the knowledge and practice of CPR of 145 doctors and nurses in the selected facilities. Of the 145 respondents who filled the questionnaires, 88(60.7%) were doctors and 57(39.3%) were nurses. There was poor knowledge of CPR amongst the respondents. It was significantly poorer amongst nurses than doctors and better amongst younger respondents. Only 73(50.3%) of the respondents would perform mouth to mouth resuscitation while 17(11.7%) respondents were aware of the 2005 guidelines. The observed poor knowledge of CPR and low awareness of the new 2005 CPR guidelines amongst respondents in this study buttresses the need for regular CPR training of health professionals in Nigeria.

Keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, doctors, nurses, knowledge, practice