Examining self-perceived first-aid abilities after the Northridge earthquake.
BACKGROUND
This study examines those factors predictive of self-perceived first-aid abilities among a community-based sample after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.


METHODS
A probabilities-proportionate-to-size (pps) sample of residents of Los Angeles Country and 11 pre-selected zip codes from southeastern Ventura County was selected using computer-generated random digit-dialing (rdd) procedures 7-11 months after the earthquake. Data were collected from 506 individuals in 45 minute interviews. A unidimensional scale of self-perceived first-aid ability was created and represents the dependent variable in a causal path model.


RESULTS
In a causal path model, standardized path coefficients suggested that while reports of taking first-aid courses were the most influential factors in predicting higher self-perceived first-aid abilities, other factors including being white, younger, speaking English in the home, and lower income also predicted higher self-perceived first-aid abilities that were independent from taking formal first-aid courses.


CONCLUSIONS
First-aid training should be directed towards target segments of the population that are not likely to have had instruction in these basic skills. Those individuals who self-report high first-aid proficiency, independent of formal first-aid training, should be evaluated to assess their abilities to perform these skills.
Nguyen
L H
LH
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health 90095-1772, USA.
Shoaf
K I
KI
Rottman
S J
SJ
Bourque
L B
LB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002140:California; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires