Abstract

Effectiveness of first aid & injury prevention response workshops in varanasi, India

Lydia Walter¹, Janay Johnson, MPH², Adriana Koilpillai³, Aarav Patel³, Bevneet Kaur³ and Elisabeth Maring, PhD¹
(1)University of Maryland, College Park, MD, (2)Washington, DC, (3)College Park,, MD

APHA 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo

Public Health Beyond Borders (PHBB), a student organization supported by a Big Ten university’s School of Public Health, partners with communities globally to design and implement health interventions. The PHBB-India team traveled to Varanasi in January 2023 to conduct needs assessment surveys. Results showed healthcare and emergency response knowledge were perceived needs. Varanasi is located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, along the Ganges river. As the birthplace of Hinduism, the city’s culture is rooted in diverse spiritual practices and religions. Research on attitudes and knowledge of first aid in South Asia indicate a significant reliance on wrong and harmful practices (e.g., splashing water on unconscious persons; applying kerosene to burns). First aid interventions are effective in increasing self-efficacy and willingness to perform first aid. In January 2024, PHBB-India held two workshops to increase awareness of first aid and injury prevention response. Teachers, university students, and high school students >14 were taught CPR, treatment for choking, and dog bites. Students <14 were taught effective methods to treat dog bites, burns, and dehydration. Workshop effectiveness was assessed using pre- and post-workshop evaluations with >14 (n=132) and students <14 (n=10). The >14 group showed an increased percent change in knowledge after the workshop for CPR (30.3%), choking (11.36%), and dog bites (15.15%). Students <14 also showed increased knowledge for dog bites (10%), burns (20%), and dehydration (40%). PHBB-India plans to design more culturally relevant first aid workshops responsive to findings from needs assessments in Varanasi.

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Public health or related research