Public perception of and willingness to perform bystander CPR in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
Immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the most essential factor for life saving in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. We investigated the characteristics associated with willingness to attempt CPR among the Japanese general population.


METHODS
We randomly selected 2400 persons from all over Japan and conducted a questionnaire survey regarding their knowledge, experiences of and attitudes toward CPR. We performed descriptive statistics followed by multivariable logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
A total of 1132 persons (47%) completed the questionnaire. Only 13% of the subjects were willing to attempt bystander CPR for their families and friends, and 7% were willing to attempt bystander CPR for strangers. Willingness to attempt CPR was independently associated with office workers or skilled workers [odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-2.7], having trained in CPR [OR: 3.1; 95% CI: 2.1-4.6], actual experience with CPR [OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.7-8.3], and having friends with heart diseases [OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.05-3.0]. Having trained in CPR was independently associated with younger age [OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1], office workers or skilled workers [OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0], having driver's license [OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2-2.4] and awareness of AED placement in a public space [OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.1].


CONCLUSIONS
Experience of CPR training closely associated with willingness to attempt CPR, and awareness of AED in a public space are significant factors in CPR training. AED placement might call attention to CPR training and develops willingness to attempt CPR.
Kuramoto
Nobuo
N
Center for Medical Education, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Konoe-cho, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, 606-8501 Kyoto, Japan.
Morimoto
Takeshi
T
Kubota
Yoshie
Y
Maeda
Yuko
Y
Seki
Susumu
S
Takada
Kaori
K
Hiraide
Atsushi
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires