Knowledge retention of basic life support in rural school adolescents: A comparison of two educational methods

Introduction: Basic life support (BLS) knowledge is essential and trained cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by witnesses is associated with better survival. As our school curriculum does not cover essential BLS knowledge, this training was conducted to compare the knowledge retention on BLS training, using two educational modalities among high school students. Objectives: To compare the knowledge retention on BLS training, using two educational modalities among high school students Method: A non-randomised interventional control study was done where 458 rural high-school students were trained in BLS skills by two educational methods. Group I (229) underwent training by ‘hands on’ demonstrations and Group II (229) were trained by validated educational videos, both sessions lasting for 1 hour. The knowledge of BLS was assessed by a validated semi-structured 32 point questionnaire. Pre-test, post-test and 6 month knowledge retention test scores were compared and results analysed with Chi square test and paired t-test. Results: Both groups had low baseline knowledge of BLS. Immediate retention of BLS training was significantly higher in group I (15.67/32 to 29/32) than group II (14.67/32 to 25/32) with p<0.001. The retention test showed statistically significant better scores in Group I (25.83/32) compared to Group II (22.45/32) with p<0.001. However, both groups showed significant knowledge retention as compared to pre-training scores, with girls having better 6 month retention with a p value of 0.006. Conclusions: Training of rural school students helps to impart good knowledge of BLS with good retention with better retention following ‘hands on’ training as compared to educational videos. However, when compared to the existing level of training in rural schools, training by videos also helped to impart this essential knowledge.