Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Basic Life Support (BLS) among the Students of Quest International University: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Juliet Sera Nekesa Othieno; Tharun Raghavan Suresh; Kishania  Sivakumar; Thamaraishelvi Kannan; Chandradiviyaa Ravichandran

doi:10.5281/zenodo.18402679

Juliet Sera Nekesa Othieno Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5930-7479
Tharun Raghavan Suresh Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Kishania Sivakumar Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Thamaraishelvi Kannan Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Chandradiviyaa Ravichandran Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18402679

Keywords: Cardiac failure, emergency, knowledge, respiratory failure, training

Abstract

Introduction:

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a fundamental component of emergency medical care for maintaining airway patency, supporting ventilation, and preserving circulation during respiratory or cardiac arrest. Poor survival rates are strongly associated with delays in recognition of symptoms, low-quality CPR and defibrillation, showing the urgency of early intervention at the community and healthcare-provider levels. The present study aimed to evaluate students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Basic Life Support, to identify gaps to strengthen BLS education and training.

Methods:

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January 2025 to May 2025. A structured questionnaire was distributed online via Google Forms, where 179 respondents participated.

Results:

Females had a higher proportion of fair knowledge than males. Ethnicity and religion showed significant associations with attitude level. Nationality and ethnicity were significantly associated with practice level, with Malaysian participants and certain ethnic groups demonstrating better practice patterns.

Conclusion:

The present study highlights important knowledge and practical application gaps in Basic Life Support (BLS), despite participants' overall positive attitude. The predominance of poor-to-fair knowledge levels and suboptimal practice patterns underscores a critical disconnect between awareness and competency.

Author Biographies

Juliet Sera Nekesa Othieno, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

MBBS year 3 student, Faculty of Medicine

Tharun Raghavan Suresh, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

MBBS year 3 student

Kishania Sivakumar, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

MBBS year 3 student

Thamaraishelvi Kannan, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

MBBS year 3 student

Chandradiviyaa Ravichandran, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, No. 227, Plaza Teh Teng Seng (Level 2), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

MBBS year 3 student