KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF FIRST AID AMONG COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDERS IN IBADAN NORTH-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

Abstract

First Aid (FA) is a set of immediate actions taken to prevent further injuries when an accident occurs. Commercial Motorcycle Riders (CMR) in Ibadan are usually prone to accident that may lead to injuries. The applications of FA may likely minimize complications associated with injury. Previous studies have not adequately provided information on knowledge and practices of FA among CMR. This study was designed to investigate knowledge and practices of FA among CMR in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area, Oyo State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed using a two-stage sampling technique, which included proportionate and systematic random sampling to select 385 consenting motorcycle riders for the study. Data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire which included a 24-point knowledge and 15-point perception scales relating to FA. Knowledge scores of <8, ≥8-16, and >16 were categorized as poor, fair and good, respectively. The questionnaire also contained information on practice, challenges associated with its application, personal experiences of road traffic injuries and willingness to undergo FA training. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistics regression at p=0.05. Age of respondents was 30±11.3 years and all were males. Also, 32.7%, 35.8% and 13.5% had primary, secondary and tertiary education, respectively. Although, 69.1% reported being trained as motorcyclist, however only 0.8% were formally trained. Few (17.4%) had professional motorcycle license and 17.7% reported ever received FA training. Respondents with poor, fair and good knowledge of FA were 79.2%, 18.5% and 2.3%, respectively. Also, 44.2% and 55.8% were negatively and positively disposed to FA, respectively. Majority of CMRs (76.9%) reported that they provided FA services at motorcycle accident scenes, while 89.7% of those that provided FA training had previous FA training. Similarly, majority of CMRs (64.4%) were willing to undergo FA training. Also, 66.2% had been involved in road traffic accidents of which 35.4% received FA from fellow CMR. Challenges associated with FA application included fear of the following: legal implications (72.2%), making mistakes (46.5%) and being infected (32.2%). Level of education and previous FA training were significantly related to knowledge and perception of FA. Respondents' with primary education were more likely to have knowledge of FA compared with those that had secondary and tertiary education (OR:16.8; CI:2.7-103.7). Also, those who had FA training were less likely to have poor knowledge of FA (OR:0.007; CI:0.001-0.036) compared with those that had no FA training. Majority of Commercial motorcycle riders had poor knowledge of first aid but were willing to be trained. Fear of legal implication was a major challenge hindering the rendering of first aid services. Public enlightenment and regular training of commercial motorcycle riders are needed to promote involvement in First Aid services.