title: Parental knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding infant basic life support.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in children is rare but significant, with poor survival rates and high morbidity. Asystole is the most common dysrhythmia, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is of great importance in such cases. We aimed to survey the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of parents in Singapore regarding infant basic life support (IBLS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was administered to parents of children managed at the Neonatal Department of Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, between 1 September and 31 December 2008. The questionnaire consisted of three sections--section A collected demographic data, section B included questions on knowledge, and section C explored attitudes and perceptions. Knowledge T-scores were analysed for the entire cohort and subanalysed with respect to prior IBLS training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our study cohort (n = 375), the median Basic Knowledge (BK) T-score was 7 (range 1-9) and the pass rate was 55%. Median BK T-scores were significantly different between untrained (6; range 3-9) and previously trained (8; range 3-9) participants. A majority of the trained participants obtained pass marks. Median Total Knowledge T-score, involving advanced questions, for previously trained participants was 11 (range 3-14), but pass rate was low (35.7%). Higher educational qualification was a significant factor impacting all scores. Untrained participants indicated interest in attending IBLS courses, while trained participants were interested in refresher courses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IBLS training, as part of basic cardiac life support training, is important given that CPR can significantly alter the outcome in children with CPA. Our survey revealed knowledge gaps that could be bridged through formal training. Refresher courses to regularly update parents' knowledge are recommended.
authors.forename: Patricia Ching Yen
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.affiliation: SpecialKids Child Health and Development Clinic, 301 Upper Thomson Road, #03-03/04, Thomson Plaza, Singapore 574408. wblian@specialkidsclinic.com.sg.
authors.forename: Wee Bin
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Lian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult