title: A national survey of prevalence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and knowledge of the emergency number in Ireland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this survey was to establish prevalence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training within the last 5 years and reasons preventing training and initiation of CPR in Ireland as well as awareness of the emergency numbers.
  
  
  METHODS
  An in-home omnibus survey was undertaken in 2008 with quota sampling reflecting the age, gender, social class and geography of Ireland.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 974 respondents, 23.5% had undergone CPR training in the previous 5 years with lower social class and age 65 years and older significantly less likely to be trained. The workplace was both a major source of awareness as well as training for those trained. In the untrained group lack of awareness of the need for CPR training was the most significant reason for non-training. Cost was not cited as a barrier. 88.9% of people gave a correct emergency number with geographical variation. Notably, the European emergency number 112 was not well known.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous Irish and American population targets for CPR training have been surpassed in Ireland in 2008. New internationally agreed targets are now required. Meanwhile older people and those in lower socio-economic groups should be targeted for training. Awareness of at least one emergency number is very high in Ireland. Some geographical variation was found and this should be studied further.
authors: Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive, Dr Steevens Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. Siobhan.jennings@hse.ie
authors: Siobhan
authors: S
authors: Jennings
authors: Tom O
authors: TO
authors: Hara
authors: Brendan
authors: B
authors: Cavanagh
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult