Basic Life Support Knowledge in a War-Torn Country: A Survey of Nurses in Yemen

Abstract Background: Successful implementation of Basic life support (BLS) is critical in improving survival rates and outcomes. By extension, health care workers’ knowledge and awareness about BLS is also essential. To our knowledge, there is no available literature pertaining to the level of BLS knowledge of health care professionals in Yemen. Methods: Data was collected for this cross-sectional descriptive study from June to August 2020, using a 10-item questionnaire related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and BLS, along with questions on socio-demographic characteristics. Participants were nurses in public and private hospitals located in Al-Rahida, Taiz governance and Hodeidah, Hodeidah governance in Yemen. Results : Among all completed surveys, 53.65% of answer choices for BLS knowledge were correct and 46.35% of answer choices were incorrect. Having a Diploma was associated with higher survey scores (P < 0.001) compared to having a Bachelor’s degree. Those who said they had ever received training in CPR or received information about CPR had significantly higher scores than those who answered no to these questions (P < 0.001 for both questions). Conclusions: BLS knowledge among nurses in Yemen is comparable to other underdeveloped countries; however, it remains below an acceptable level to ensure maximum survival in the event of cardiac arrest. Future research and efforts should be aimed at implementing strategies to improve BLS knowledge among nurses in Yemen, with a long-term goal of improving BLS knowledge among the non-medical population as well to decrease the burden associated with sudden cardiac death.