The Relationship Between Knowledge of Basic Life Support (BLS) and Chest Compression Performance Among Undergraduate Nursing Students, Thailand

Background: Establishing BLS educational program for nursing students to achieve favorable outcomes concerns with factors associated between performance particularly knowledge and self-efficacy of BLS.

Objective: This study aim to investigate the relationship between knowledge and self-efficacy of Basic Life Support (BLS) and chest compression performance as recommended by American Heart Association (AHA) guideline 2010.

Method: This is a correlational study conducted at Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand. A hundred of fourth-year nursing students at undergraduate level who completed in Modify Basic Life Support Training Program were randomly selected. Knowledge of BLS was measured by using a 25 item-multiple choice questionnaire accredited by Thai Resuscitation Foundation. Self-efficacy of BLS was measured by a 18 item self-rating questionnaire.  Chest compression performance included percent correct of chest compression retrieved from SimMan® Manikin recorder.

Result: There was a significant associated between knowledge of BLS and percent correct of chest compression (r = .22, p < .05). No association between knowledge, self-efficacy of BLS and percent correct of chest compression.

Conclusion: Improved knowledge of BLS can increase chest compression performance but not self-efficacy. Therefore; nursing students at undergraduate level should be prepared for knowledge based in BLS and then perform chest compression effectively.