Abstract
Objective
To investigate the status quo and analyze the influencing factors of the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pre-hospital emergency among caregivers for older adults.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 133 caregivers for older adults in Guangdong province, China, nursing homes were selected as survey participants from December 2021 to June 2022 via convenience sampling. All participants were administered a general information questionnaire and a Pre-Hospital Emergency Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire. For data analysis, we used descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results
The scores on the knowledge, attitude, and practice dimensions were 24.65 ± 4.49, 24.52 ± 4.34, and 24.05 ± 4.67, respectively. Regression analysis showed that the age, professional skill level, and healthcare education experience of the caregivers were the main influencing factors of their pre-hospital emergency knowledge. Additionally, the presence/absence of direct participation in the pre-hospital emergency of the caregivers was the primary influencing factor of attitude, while education level and employment status were the factors mainly influencing pre-hospital emergency practice.
Conclusion
Caregivers for older adults currently have a low-to-medium level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of pre-hospital emergency. The main factors affecting the implementation of pre-hospital emergency for caregivers in China are their older age, low education levels, temporary employment and imperfect occupational security system.
Caregivers; Aged; Pre-hospital care; Emergency medical services; Health knowledge, attitudes, practice