Background Cardiac arrests may occur anytime, anywhere and to anyone including learners at schools. Teachers have a moral obligation to care for learners while on the school premises. Outcomes after cardiac arrest are better when the first-responder possesses adequate knowledge and skill in basic life support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of student-teachers pertaining to BLS. Methods This was a self-administered, questionnaire based, prospective and cross-sectional study of senior undergraduate student-teachers enrolled at a South African university. The study was conducted between 04 November 2017 and 18 February 2018. Results A total of 316 student-teachers, with a mean age of 21.8 ± 2.6 years completed the survey. Trauma-related emergencies, allergic reactions and breathing difficulties were witnessed during practice teaching sessions at various schools by 52.5% (n = 166), 36.4% (n = 115) and 32.9% (n = 104) of participants, respectively. The mean knowledge score pertaining to BLS was 4.0 ± 1.7 out of 12 points. Previous CPR training was associated with a good knowledge score (p = 0.005) and confidence in responding to an emergency (p = 0.005). Most of the participants (N = 288, 91.1%) had no formal training in CPR with more than three-quarters (76.4%) of them not knowing where to acquire training. Barriers to initiating CPR included fear of litigation (n = 264, 83.5%), injury to the victim (n = 238, 75.3%), presence of blood, vomitus or secretions (n = 206, 65.2%) and fear of contracting a disease (n = 186, 58.8%). Most (n = 255, 80.7%) respondents reported that they would perform CPR on a learner at school. Conclusion Student-teachers surveyed in this study displayed poor knowledge and perceptions but positive attitudes with regards to the practice of CPR and BLS. Consideration should be given to including formal CPR training as part of the curriculum for teachers in training.

Mortalities within 24 hours of presentation at the ED of UCH remain high. This calls for an efficient pre-hospital care, well-organized emergency transport system, new guidelines, establishment of protocols and regular audit.

Provider (PCP) program. They were randomized into either a UAV group or a non UAV group. The study scenario was based on a highway accident involving ten vehicles with seven hazards. Each group was given a 60 minute lecture on UAV technology, and a 30 minute lecture on hazards. Each subject entered the scene after receiving a brief narrative. Having been informed that there were 7 hazards to be identified, the UAV group remained at the UAV ground station while the non UAV group was able to approach the scene. After identifying all hazards, the time to identification and order was recorded. Primary outcome measures were the difference in time to identification, and difference in identification order. Results: The mean time (SD, range) to identify the hazards were 3'68" (1.62, 1'48"-6'48") and 2'43" (0.92, 1'43"-4'38") in UAV and non UAV groups respectively, corresponding to a mean difference of 58" (P = 0.11). A non parametric permutation test showed a significant (P = 0.04) difference in the hazard identification order driven by two hazards, fuel and workplace hazardous material information system placard. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there is a statistical difference in the identification order of hazards. Interestingly, preliminary results were unable to identify a difference in time to hazard identification. Study/Objective: The study objective is to make the basis of a chemical emergency medical information system. Background: There are many database sets and websites which provide chemical databases in chemical accidents, but they don't have adequate roles for emergency medical support in Korea. Methods: We reviewed the database sets and websites, which provide chemical database and emergency medical records in prehospital transport to hospitals. After an analysis was done, an adequate database set was proposed, and the algorithm for elicitation of chemicals suitable for emergency medical support, accident cases. Results: By four steps of elicitation of chemicals, the number of chemicals of more than 100,000 was decreased to less than 1,000. The standard steps were accident preparedness, toxicity, and circulating amounts. We made an algorithm for the elicitation of chemicals. Study/Objective: To determine the nationwide current status of hospital awareness in emergency and disaster preparedness. Background: Hospital awareness and preparedness is the cornerstone for community health management in emergency and disaster as it plays a critical role in taking care of injured patients. To assess the current system is the first necessary step to improve hospital readiness for emergency and disaster. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to every provincial, general, and university hospital in Thailand. The data were extracted and reported as number and percentage. Single logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to hospital preparedness. Values were significant when P < .05. ConclusionResults: The questionnaire response rate was 112/119 (94%) from hospitals in every province...

Background: Data regarding the features and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Africa are increasingly available. Objectives: To describe socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 86 adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March and November 2020. Characteristics were described in survivors and non-survivors. Results: Mean age was 60.9±16.1 years, 53(61.6%) were male. Co-morbidities were found in 77(89.5%) patients. On severity, 6(7%) were mild, 23(26.7%) moderate, 51(59.3%) severe and 6(7%) critical. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were 71±22% and 38±11/minute in non-survivors and 90±7% and 31±7/minute in survivors respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001)). Overall mortality was 47.7% with no death among patients with mild disease and deaths in all patients with critical disease. Duration of hospitalization was 2.0(1.0-4.5) days in those who died and 12(7.0-15.0) days in those who survived (p<0.001). Of the42 patients that received dexamethasone, 11(26.2%) died, while 31(73.8%) survived (p=<0.001). Conclusion: Most of the patients had co-morbidities and there was high mortality in patients with severe and critical COVID-19. Mean oxygen saturation was low and respiratory rate high overall. Factors associated with mortality included: Significantly greater hypoxia and tachypnea, less dexamethasone use and shorter hospitalization. Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 mortality; SARS CoV-2.

according to predefined eligibility criteria. Included items were read and results were compiled and summarized. Results: In a total of 64 included items, 34 were published between 2013-2016. The most studied events were Germany's Love Parade stampede in 2010 (n = 6) and the UK Hillsborough stadium stampede in 1989 (n = 4). The literature retrieved was from a wide range of different disciplines. Conflicting definitions of human stampedes were found. The common belief that they result from an irrational and panicking crowd has progressively been replaced by studies suggesting that successive systemic failures are the main underlying causes. Stampedes are not reported in global disaster databases, making unusual sources like news reports often the only information available. Prevention measures are to date mainly related to crowd management and venue design, but their effectiveness has not been studied. Best practices for preparedness and response are not consensual. Conclusion: Stampedes are a complex phenomenon that remains incompletely understood, hampering formulation of evidence-based strategies for their management. Many of the findings come from high-profile events and are difficult to extrapolate to other settings. More research from different disciplines is warranted to address these gaps in the knowledge in order to prevent and mitigate future events. A start would be to agree on a commonly accepted definition of stampedes. Study/Objective: To identify the epidemiological spread of athletes, the injuries and medical conditions they present with, to assess the level of preparedness and organization of the medical care at the event, and how the medical preparedness coped with the surge at the medical tent. Background: Marathons and ultra-marathons have become increasingly popular in Nigeria and other developing countries. Participants are more dedicated, investing time and effort to prepare and compete. As the field increases, so do the types of injuries and medical conditions that present to the medical tent on event day. As a result, a lot more goes into preparation and medical capacity for these events. Methods: A mass gathering matrix will be applied to the event demographics to assess the projected need for the event. Actual preparedness on the ground will be assessed and studied. All athletes entering the medical tent, picked up along the route, or taken directly to hospital will be triaged and a questionnaire applied to them. Results: Musculoskeletal injuries, dermatological, respiratory problems, collapse and hypotension have been shown to be common problems in marathon runners. The result should clarify, if this is so in marathons in Nigeria. Organization of medical coverage of these events needs to be well coordinated and staffed to be effective. The matrix will help organizers have a baseline or template for proper preparation. Conclusion: The epidemiology of marathon injuries may follow conventional events, but a proper understanding of this will aid proper preparation for the event and organiz...