title: Determinants of burn first aid knowledge: Cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study investigated demographic factors, experience of burn/care and first aid course attendance as factors influencing burn first aid knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was undertaken using convenience sampling of members of sporting and recreation clubs. The main outcome measure was the proportion of correct responses to multiple-choice questions relating to four burn scenarios: (1) scald, (2) contact burn, (3) ignited clothing, and (4) chemical burn.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2602 responses were obtained. Large gaps (30-50% incorrect answers) were identified in burn first aid knowledge across all scenarios. 15% more individuals gave correct answers if they had attended a first aid course compared to those who had not (p<0.0001); this proportion increased if the course was undertaken within the previous five years (p<0.0001) or contained a burns-specific component (p<0.0001). Males and younger (≤25 years) and older (≥65 years) age-groups had relatively lower levels of burn first aid knowledge. Gender and age were significant predictors of first aid course attendance, with males and younger (≤25 years) and older (≥65 years) age-groups less likely to have attended a first aid course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this sample, first aid training undertaken within the last 5 years with a specific burns component was associated with enhanced burn first aid knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Burn Injury Research Unit, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia. hilary.wallace@uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Hilary J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Tomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Fiona M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Dale W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Edgar
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rea
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011998:Recreation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burn; Convenience sampling; Cross-sectional study; Demographic factors; First aid; First aid training; Socioeconomic factors