Factors associated to the level of knowledge in cardiopulmonary rejection in hospitals of Peru

Introduction Worldwide, the incidence of cardiopulmonary arrest is 20-140 per 100,000 people, with an alarmingly low survival rate of approximately 2-11%. Effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required in order to improve this situation. Objective To determine the association between social and education factors and the level of knowledge of CPR among healthcare staff in hospitals in Peru. Methodology A multi-centre, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted based on convenience sampling among healthcare workers in 25 hospitals in Peru, using questionnaires validated for the local population. Bi-variate and multi-variate statistics were calculated using generalised linear models. Results Of 1,075 people surveyed, 52% were females, the mean age was 33, 77% were physicians, 61% had attended national universities, and 62% had taken a first aid course/workshop. Of them, 59% failed the CPR test. Having spent a longer number of hours in the emergency service (OR: 1.003; 95% CI: 1.002-1.004; P < .001), being a physician (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.13-2,03; P = .027) or being a nurse (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.10-1.93; P = .001), was associated with good knowledge of CPR, adjusted for prior attendance to a CPR course, and for the place of work of the individual respondent. Conclusion The level of knowledge was low and this is something that needs to be considered when developing continuing education policies in order to ensure that the healthcare staff has updated knowledge, and is prepared, in theory and in practice, to avoid complications and fatal outcomes.