Perception and Attitude of Nigerian Athletes towards Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Background/Objective: Effective practice of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will depend to a good extent on the perception and attitude of a population towards this life-saving technique. This study aimed at assessing the perception and attitude of Nigerian athletes towards this important procedure.

Methods: A questionnaire-based national cross-sectional survey of Nigerian athletes was carried out during the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF) in Delta State, Nigeria, which continued after the festival in the various locations of the athletes in the country. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 25 and descriptive and chi-square statistics, as well as one sample t test were employed with significance level set at P < .05.

Results: In all, 419 athletes were involved in the study - 278 (66.3%) males and 141(33.7%) females with age range of 11- 49 years and mean age of 23.43 + 5.66 (SD). The participants significantly had positive perception of (P < .000) and attitude towards bystander CPR (P < .000), which did not vary significantly with respect to their participation in contact or non-contact sports (P > .05).

Conclusion/Recommendation: The Nigerian athletes showed encouraging positive perception of bystander CPR and attitude towards it. Nigerian Governments should actively support the establishment of sustainable programmes for teaching and training of athletes in bystander CPR