Purpose of the study: To determine self-appraised and true knowledge of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the community of the Crimea.
Materials and methods: The questionnaire was administered personally to the representative sample (n=384) of adult lay population of the Crimean peninsula in November 2017-January 2018 to evaluate knowledge of CPR by self-rating (5-point scale) and in open-ended questions (hand placement and rate for chest compressions).
Results: The participants self-evaluated their CPR knowledge as “absent” (17.7%), “poor” (45.6%), “moderate” (29.7%), “good” (5.5%) and “very good” (1.6%). Strong relationship between the self-perceived knowledge level and previous CPR training was revealed (p<0.001). Proper site and rate of chest compressions was reported by 45.6% and 3.6% respondents, respectively. Based on univariate analysis, correct answering was associated with previous CPR training (p≤0.002), higher level of self-perceived CPR knowledge (p<0.001; excepting “very good” knowledge group, where ≤1 of 6 answered correctly) and medical education (p≤0.039), but independent from the number of attended courses or timing of last training (p>0.05). Among the healthcare professionals, 68.2% and 13.6% provided correct answers regarding hand placement and rate for chest compressions, respectively.
Conclusions: Whereas the previously trained respondents showed better rates of correct answering and higher self-confidence, knowledge of CPR is generally poor among the Crimean general public. Healthcare professionals to a great extent showed lack of CPR knowledge alongside with lay people. Effective large-scale continued community training program with regular refresher courses is urgently needed to enhance the CPR knowledge and improve bystander CPR rates in the Crimea.

3 - Self-perceived and true knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among the general public of the Crimea