Translating evidence into practical tools to teach first aid to children in sub-Saharan Africa

Session: 

Oral session: Knowledge translation and communicating evidence (3)

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 16:00 to 16:20

Location: 

Pentland Auditorium

All authors in correct order:

De Buck E1, Vanhove A2, Dockx K2, Vandekerckhove P3
1 Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Belgium
2 Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Belgium
3 Belgian Red Cross; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Anne-Catherine Vanhove

Contact person:

Emmy De Buck
Anne-Catherine Vanhove
Kimberly Dockx
Abstract text
Background: First aid training to laypeople is promoted by the World Bank as a very cost-effective way to decrease the burden of disease and injury in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To maximize the impact of first aid training, the Belgian Red Cross uses the approach of Evidence-Based Practice. One of the current projects is the development of evidence-based first aid educational materials for children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives:
1) To develop an 'educational pathway' that indicates at what age African children can reach certain objectives at the level of knowledge, skills and attitudes concerning first aid;
2) to generate a list of recommended educational methods and materials for educating children in LMICs; and
3) to develop first aid educational materials for African children.

Methods: We conducted an evidence summary of experimental and observational studies on first aid training to children by searching MEDLINE and Embase. We performed an additional evidence summary, based on existing systematic reviews, on effective educational methods in LMICs. Following data extraction, we used the GRADE methodology to determine the level of evidence. Next, we presented the available evidence to a panel of African health and educational experts, and first aid trainers from different African countries. Feedback from this expert panel was used to develop first aid materials adapted to the African context.

Results: We screened 11446 studies on first aid education in children and 819 systematic reviews on educational methods, and finally included 51 studies and two systematic reviews. We developed a draft educational pathway on the basis of the evidence, indicating at what age certain first aid competences can be acquired. Next, the draft pathway was further adapted to the African context on the basis of the input of the expert panel. We also discussed the educational methods described in the systematic reviews with the expert panel, and specified the pros and cons of using these methods. Finally, we will develop and pilot educational materials in different African countries.

Conclusions: We translated evidence into practical tools for first aid training to sub-Saharan African children.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: Involving an African multidisciplinary expert panel resulted in adaptation to the African context.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

The Disease Control Priorities Project (DCPP), of the WHO and The World Bank, identified “training of lay first-responders and volunteer paramedics in emergency care” as one of the most cost-effective interventions to improve health and welfare in low- and middle-income countries, at a cost 8 $ per DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Year) averted. In addition, evidence is available showing that children are able to learn first aid already from a young age, and therefore the aim of this project is to train children in first aid, in an evidence-based way.