Introduction: First aid is defined as the willingness to provide help and initial treatment for acute illness or injury before the sick or injured person receives professional help. Purpose: To present first aid in order to find out to what extent people in Prekmurje are prepared to provide first aid in the aftermath of the Sars-Cov-2 epidemic, whether they have ever been trained to give first aid after the Sars-Cov-2 epidemic, whether they have ever been trained in first aid, whether they have ever provided first aid. Methods: The descriptive method was used, with a review of professional and scientific literature in Slovenian and English. Data collection was carried out using a survey questionnaire, which was addressed exclusively to the adult population of Prekmurje. Respondents were invited to fill in the questionnaire via social networks and e-mail. The survey took place in May 2024. Results: 171 (55 % women and 45 % men) completed the questionnaire. The inhabitants of Prekmurje indicated a high level of willingness to provide first aid (87,7 %) and showed good theoretical knowledge of first aid. A large proportion (86 %) had completed at least one first aid training course in the past, most of them in a first aid course for motor vehicle drivers. Most respondents expressed a desire to refresh their first aid knowledge and rated their knowledge with an average score of 3.3. The reason why they would give first aid to someone is primarily their trust in solidarity: that someone would help them if they needed help. The reason why they do not opt for first aid is the fear of getting infected when providing first aid. The majority of respondents (84,8 %) correctly know that heavy bleeding can be stopped by applying pressure to the wound and less than half (48,5 %) know that the amputated part should not be put directly on ice. The majority of respondents correctly know that a burn should not be treated with ointment as soon as possible, while 70, 8% of respondents know that gloves should be kept in the first aid kit in the car. More than half of the respondents wrongly believed that the injured person should not eat or drink before seeking medical attention for bone and joint injuries (54,4 %), and that they should not take a patient with suspected hip fracture to the nearest health facility alone (84,8 %). Discussion and conclusion: Respondents expressed a high degree of willingness to provide first aid in Prekmurje, and this willingness has not decreased significantly in the post-epidemic period. However, the proportion of those who are afraid of infection during first aid has increased, which poses a challenge for all those who are in any way involved in the promotion and training of first aid for the general lay public.
|