TITLE:
Health Emergency Response Readiness of Undergraduate Student
AUTHORS:
P. P. L. Or
KEYWORDS:
Health Emergency Education, Response Readiness, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.9 No.3,
March
9,
2017
ABSTRACT: The increased threats of terrorism, disease outbreak and natural disasters clearly support the need to incorporate health emergency education into the school curricula to enhance emergency awareness and the development of Emergency Response Management Plans. The purpose of this study was to explore the health emergency response readiness of the undergraduate students upon completion of a “Health Emergency Education” course in Hong Kong. Thirty-three undergraduate students (aged from 19 to 23) enrolled in the course were selected for investigation. A 21-item semi-structured class exercise was administered to the students before and after the course. A significant improvement in the knowledge of emergency signage was observed. There was a strong positive correlation between the participants’ knowledge of performing the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and their confidence in giving first aid to friends (r = 0.81, p = 0.00). The participants were more confident in administering first aid to family members and friends than strangers and the findings in this study were consistent with previous studies. The elective course significantly increased the students’ health emergency knowledge and confidence to provide assistance in an emergency situation. It is important to accompany advisories with educational messages to help the public understand emergency risks and enhance response readiness.