Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T05:02:53.707Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Alexander, D: Natural Disasters. New York: Chapman & Hall, 1993.Google Scholar
2. Tierney, K: Social aspects of the Northridge earthquake. The Northridge Earthquake of 17 January 1994 (Special Publication 116). Woods, MC, Seiple, WR (eds.) Sacramento, CA: California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 1995; pp 255–262.Google Scholar
3. Shoaf, KI, Russell, LA, Bourque, LB et al. : Community response to the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake. Paper presented at the 20th Annual Hazards and Research Applications Workshop. Boulder, CO. 16–19 July 1995.Google Scholar
4. Ricci, EM, Pretto, EA, Safar, P et al. : Disaster reanimatology potentials: A structured interview in Armenia. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1991;6:159–166.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Pretto, EA, Ricci, E, Klain, M et al. : Disaster reanimatology potentials: A structured interview in Armenia. III. Results, conclusions and recommendation. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1992;7:327–338.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Roces, MC, White, ME, Dayrit, MM, Durkin, ME: Risk factors for injuries due to the 1990 earthquake in Luzon, Philippines. Bull World Health Organ 1992;70:509–514.Google Scholar
7. Berden, HJJM, Bierens, JJLM, Willems, FF et al. : Resuscitation skills of lay public after recent training. Ann Emerg Med 1994;23:1003–1008.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. Schlessel, JS, Rappa, HA, Lesser, M et al. : CPR knowledge, self-efficacy, and anticipated anxiety as functions of infant/child CPR training. Ann Emerg Med 1995;25:618–623.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. Kaye, W, Rallis, SF, Mancini, ME et al. : The problem of poor retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills may lie with the instructor, not the learner or the curriculum. Resuscitation 1991;21:67–87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10. Brennan, RT, Braslow, A: Skill mastery in cardiopulmonary resuscitation training classes. Am J Emerg Med 1995;13:505–508.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11. Steele, JA: The effects of first-aid training on public awareness of the management of a seriously injured patient. J R Soc Health 1994; 114: 67–68.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12. Mandel, LP, Cobb, LA: CPR training in the community. Ann Emerg Med 1985;14:669–671.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13. Brookoff, D, Kellermann, AL, Hackman, BB et al. : Do blacks get bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation as often as whites? Ann Emerg Med 1994;24:1147–1150.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14. Feero, S, Hedges, JR, Stevens, P: Demographics of cardiac arrest: Association with residence in a low-income area. Acad Emerg Med 1995;2:11–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Bourque, LB, Russell, LA: Experiences During and Responses to the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Sacramento, CA: Governor's Office of Emergency Services Earthquake Program, 1994.Google Scholar
16. Russell, LA, Goltz, JD, Bourque, LB: Preparedness and hazard mitigation actions before and after two earthquakes. Environment and Behavior 1995;27:744–770.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17. Kish, L: Survey Sampling. New York: John Wiley, 1965.Google Scholar
18. Oldendick, RW, Bishop, GF, Sorenson, SB, Tuchfarber, AJ: A comparison of the Kish and last birthday methods of respondent selection in telephone surveys. Journal of Official Statistics 1988;4:307–318.Google Scholar
19. Klain, M, Ricci, E, Safar, P et al. : Disaster reanimatology potentials: A structured interview study in Armenia I. Methods and preliminary results. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1989;4:135–152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20. Davis, JA: The Logic of Causal Order; Qualitative Applications in Social Sciences #55. Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 1985.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21. Munro, BH, Page, EB: Statistical Methods for Health Care Research. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott, 1994.Google Scholar
22. American Heart Association: Healthcare Provider's Manual for Basic Life Support, Albarran-Sotelo, R, Flint, LS, Kelly, KJ (eds.). Dallas, TX: American Heart Association, 1990.Google Scholar
23. Campbell, JE: BTLS: Basic Trauma Life Support for the EMT-B and Firs Responder, 2d ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1988.Google Scholar
24. American Red Cross: Standard First Aid. ISBN:0–86536, 1991.Google Scholar
25. Birkby, RC: Boy Scout Handbook (10thed.). Irving, TX: Boy Scouts of America.Google Scholar
26. Werner, D, Thuman, C, Maxwell, J: Where There is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook. Palo Alto, CA: Hesperian Foundation. 1992.Google Scholar
27. Kunz, JRM: The American Medical Association Faniily Medical Guide. New York: Random House, 1982.Google Scholar