Awareness of first aid among adults in Al-Ahsa City, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: First-aid knowledge among the general public is critical for saving lives in medical emergencies before expert care arrives. However, studies show persistent gaps in layperson first-aid capacity worldwide. This study assessed first-aid knowledge and awareness among adults in Al-Ahsa City, Saudi Arabia, to identify strengths and weaknesses to guide tailored interventions. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 716 adults recruited through convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire collected sociodemographics and assessed knowledge across 12 first-aid scenarios involving bleeding control, burns, seizures, choking, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Results: Just 59.2% correctly identified direct pressure to stop bleeding, and 61.2% knew proper burn first aid. Only 52% recognized the pediatric CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio (15:2), and 36.2% identified the chest compression rate of 100/min. For choking, 73.9% endorsed abdominal thrusts for children, but only 60.9% knew backslaps for infants. Females scored higher on bleeding (94.5% vs 92.8% correct) and abdominal thrusts (83.6% vs 66.1%), while males were more knowledgeable on burns (70.4% vs 53.8%) and infant choking (81.1% vs 44.7%). Younger and more educated respondents had higher scores. Conclusions: Major gaps exist in implementing proper first-aid techniques, especially differentiation by age. Deficits in direct bleeding control, high-quality CPR, and tailored pediatric care represent high-risk knowledge weaknesses in this population. Targeted education programs focused on skill-building in these areas, particularly for higher-risk demographics like the elderly and less educated, are critically needed to strengthen public preparedness and save lives. Findings provide key insights to inform evidence-based interventions.