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Examining Self-Perceived First-aid Abilities After the Northridge Earthquake

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Loc H. Nguyen ,
Kimberley I. Shoaf ,
Steven J. Rottman  and
Linda B. Bourque
Loc H. Nguyen*
Affiliation:
Center for Public Health and Disaster Relief, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, USA
Kimberley I. Shoaf
Affiliation:
Center for Prehospital Care, Emergency Medicine Center, University of California Los Angeles Hospitals and Clinics, Los Angeles, California, USA
Steven J. Rottman
Affiliation:
Center for Public Health and Disaster Relief, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, USA Center for Prehospital Care, Emergency Medicine Center, University of California Los Angeles Hospitals and Clinics, Los Angeles, California, USA
Linda B. Bourque
Affiliation:
Center for Public Health and Disaster Relief, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, USA
*
University of California-Los Angeles, School of Public Health, Box 951772, Los Angeles, California 90095-1772 USA
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Abstract

Introduction:

This study examines those factors predictive of self-perceived first-aid abilities among a community-based sample after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Methods:

A probabilities-proportionate to-size (pps) sample of residents of Los Angeles County and 11 pre-selected zip codes from southeastern Ventura County was selected using computer-generated random digit-dialing (rdd) procedures 7–11 months after the earthquake. Data were collected from 506 individuals in 45 minute interviews. A unidimensional scale of self-perceived first-aid ability was created and represents the dependent variable in a causal path model.

Results:

In a causal path model, standardized path coefficients suggested that while reports of taking first-aid courses were the most influential factors in predicting higher self-perceived first-aid abilities, other factors including being white, younger, speaking English in the home, and lower income also predicted higher self-perceived first-aid abilities that were independent from taking formal first-aid courses.

Conclusion:

First-aid training should be directed towards target segments of the population that are not likely to have had instruction in these basic skills. Those individuals who self-report high first-aid proficiency, independent of formal first-aid training, should be evaluated to assess their abilities to perform these skills.

Keywords

CPRearthquakesfirs aidinjuriesNorthridge earthquakepreparednesspublic health
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , December 1997 , pp. 60 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1997

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