KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES OF BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO

Basic life support (BLS) is an essential component of emergency medical care, aimed at sustaining life in critical situations such as cardiac or respiratory arrest. It involves techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and maintaining an open airway to prevent fatal outcomes before advanced medical help can be provided. This study focuses on the assessment of the knowledge, experiences and training of BLS among undergraduate students at Bayero University, Kano, with an emphasis on identifying variations between medical and non-medical students. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured, self-administered questionnaire that explored students’ understanding of core BLS principles, their prior experiences, in handling BLS-related emergencies, and their training exposure. The study sample included students from different faculties, enabling a comparative analysis of BLS awareness and experiences between medical and non-medical students. Statistical analysis was employed to identify the correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and BLS proficiency. The results revealed significant deficiencies in both knowledge and practical experiences of BLS among the general student population. While medical students exhibited relatively higher levels of BLS knowledge and confidence in performing CPR and other BLS techniques, non-medical students demonstrated a substantial gap in their understanding and practical experience of BLS. Only a small proportion of respondents reported having received formal BLS training, and even fewer had been involved in real-life BLS scenarios. The study also highlighted a lack of accessibility to training programs, as well as barriers such as lack of confidence and fear of legal repercussions when performing BLS in emergency situations. Further analysis identified socio-demographic factors, such as gender, faculty, and prior BLS training, as significant determinants of BLS knowledge and skills. Male students, medical students, and those who had received formal training were more likely to have adequate knowledge of BLS and feel confident in applying it in real-life situations. However, even among these groups, there was a considerable gap in practical experience, underscoring the need for regular and structured hands-on BLS training. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to improve BLS education and training among Bayero University students. Recommendations include integrating mandatory BLS training into the university curriculum, organizing frequent hands-on workshops, and fostering an environment that encourages practical application of BLS skills. This would not only enhance the students’ readiness to respond to emergencies but could also improve the overall public health outcomes by increasing the rate of bystander CPR and early intervention in cases of cardiac arrest or other life-threatening emergencies. In summary, this research underscores the importance of equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform BLS effectively. It also calls for policy changes within the educational system to ensure that all students, regardless of their field of study, are adequately trained to handle life-threatening emergencies, ultimately contributing to improved survival rates in both in-hospital and out-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios.