Awareness, Knowledge and Attitude Towards Basic Life Support (BLS) Among Undergraduate Nursing Students In UNIMAS
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Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
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Basic Life Support (BLS) involves life-saving procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), airway management, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). Despite its importance, studies show that gaps remain in the knowledge and practical competencies of nursing students, highlighting the need for effective and ongoing training. Given the high rates of cardiac-related deaths globally and in Malaysia, ensuring nursing students are well-prepared to perform BLS can significantly impact patient outcomes and survival rates. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness, knowledge and attitude toward BLS among undergraduate nursing students in UNIMAS, and to examine the relationship between these three factors. A descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 163 undergraduate nursing students at University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using 37-item self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic, BLS awareness knowledge, and attitude. The data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. The findings showed that most students had high awareness (92.0%) and a positive attitude (68.1%) toward BLS, but their knowledge was relatively low (74.2%). There were significant correlations between awareness and knowledge (r = .322, p < .001), knowledge and attitude (r = .260, p < .001) and awareness and attitude (r = .154, p = .049). Although UNIMAS nursing students displayed good awareness and positive attitudes toward BLS, their knowledge was lacking. Incorporating simulation-based learning and regular refresher courses in the curriculum may help improve BLS knowledge and readiness.