Ilala district pharmacists first AID and basic life support

Objective; To determine the knowledge of Ilala district pharmacists on basic life support and first aid. . Methodology: Between January and June 2010, pharmacists working in different fields in city centre, kariakoo and upanga areas of llala district were given self — administered questionnaires and interviewed when required. The sample size calculated was 70 pharmacists. The data was entered and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software program (version 17.0). Results: The response rate was 63% (44/70). 93% have heard of` first aid but only 80% could define it. The most common sources of first aid information were pre — university education and TV/media. 46% were aware of a number that could be used in times of emergency with majority stating l l2 as that number. "F?6 had encountered situations requiring first aid intervention in their practice and 66% believed they could handle such situations as pharmacists. The most common situations were bleeding wounds 61%, minor burns 57%, nose bleeds 46% and asthma attacks 39%. With regards to basic life support knowledge only 34% knew the meaning of the acronym CPR, -.d 2] % knew the use of Heimlich maneuver and Recovery Position respectively. Only 61% of LS: pharmacists can measure blood pressure using a mercury sphygmomanometer but 80% can ;r$;e the pulse reading. Only 25% gave the correct immediate first aid intervention for a minor burn and only 11% for a nose bleed. All community pharmacists sold first aid kits and 77% could assemble a first aid kit and state the components required. Only 64% of the pharmacists possessed a. first aid Aid for their own personal use with home being the most common place for keeping the kits. 64% of the _ respondents said that pharmacists should be trained and allowed to give injections in pharmacy setting. The knowledge of first aid and basic life support was considered_ important by all pharmacists interviewed however\93% had not taken a course for first aid or basic life support with the main reason stated as no knowledge of course providers/availability of such a course (82%). 89% of ii: pharmacists showed interest in taking such a course for first aid with 75% agreeing to pay for 1 Ail the respondents recommended that first aid and hasic life support be taught in the undergraduate curriculum of pharmacy schools in Tanzania with 84% saying it should be part-of the curriculum and 16% saying it should be a separate course for these interested. . • Conclusion & Recommendations: Pharmacists in the Ilala district consider having first aid and basic life support knowledge a priority for both practicing and studying pharmacists. However they seem to have limited basic life support knowledge. Hence they recommend that basic life support and first aid is included in the pharmacy undergraduate curriculum of Tanzania.While service pharmacists would prefer short courses or workshops to acquire this additional skill