title: Public knowledge of how to use an automatic external defibrillator in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong is low. A long delay between collapse and defibrillation is a contributing factor. Public access to defibrillation may shorten this delay. It is unknown, however, whether Hong Kong's public is willing or able to use an automatic external defibrillator. This study aimed to evaluate public knowledge of how to use an automatic external defibrillator in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
  
  
  METHODS
  A face-to-face semi-structured questionnaire survey of the public was conducted in six locations with a high pedestrian flow in Hong Kong.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, 401 members of the public were interviewed. Most had no training in first aid (65.8%) or in use of an automatic external defibrillator (85.3%). Nearly all (96.5%) would call for help for a victim of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but only 18.0% would use an automatic external defibrillator. Public knowledge of automatic external defibrillator use was low: 77.6% did not know the location of an automatic external defibrillator in the vicinity of their home or workplace. People who had ever been trained in both first aid and use of an automatic external defibrillator were more likely to respond to and help a victim of cardiac arrest, and to use an automatic external defibrillator.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public knowledge of automatic external defibrillator use is low in Hong Kong. A combination of training in first aid and in the use of an automatic external defibrillator is better than either one alone.
authors: Emergency Medicine Unit, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: K L
authors: KL
authors: Fan
authors: Emergency Medicine Unit, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: L P
authors: LP
authors: Leung
authors: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: H T
authors: HT
authors: Poon
authors: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: H Y
authors: HY
authors: Chiu
authors: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: H L
authors: HL
authors: Liu
authors: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: W Y
authors: WY
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D047548:Defibrillators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058687:Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Death, sudden, cardiac/prevention & control; Defibrillators; Health knowledge, attitudes, practice