The effects of the new CPR guideline on attitude toward basic life support in Japan

Background: There is no study regarding the influence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guideline renewal on citizen's attitude towards all basic life support (BLS) actions. Methods and results: We conducted a questionnaire survey to new driver licence applicants who participated in the BLS course at driving schools either before (January 2007 to April 2007) or after (October 2007 to April 2008) the revision of the textbook. Upon completion of the course, participants were given a questionnaire concerning willingness to participate in CPR, early emergency call, telephone-assisted chest compression and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). After the revision, the proportions of positive respondents to use of AED as well as to all the four scenarios significantly increased from 2331/3564 to 3693/5156 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.34) and from 1889/3443 to 3028/5126 (OR = 1.18), respectively. However, the new guideline slightly but significantly augmented the unwillingness to make an early call (236/3568 vs. 416/5283. OR = 0.83). Approximately 95% of respondents were willing to follow the telephone-assisted instruction of chest compression, while approximately 85% were eager to perform CPR on their own initiative. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed the results of mono-variate analysis, and identified previous CPR training, sex, rural area and student as other significant factors relating to attitude. Conclusions: Future guidelines should emphasise the significance and benefit of early call in relation to telephone-assisted instruction of CPR or chest compression. The course instructors should be aware of the backgrounds of participants as to how this may relate to their willingness to participate. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.