ABSTRACT

Aims:

This study was conducted to determine the first-aid knowledge level of mothers living in rural areas and factors affect this.

Methods:

This descriptive study was carried out in 14 villages in the province of Zonguldak and its sample consisted of 681 mothers. Data was collected using the Personal Information Form and First-Aid Knowledge Level Scale which were developed by the researchers.

Results:

The mean age of participating mothers was 42.105+10.75 years, and 45.4% had two children, 64% were primary school graduates, and 95.7% were housewives. The majority of the mothers (86%) had not received education about first-aid and 44.9% of their information sources on this issue were television and radio. This study determined that these mothers had adequate knowledge on common injuries, but their knowledge about life-threatening injuries was insufficient. A higher education level, younger ages, having two children, and receiving first-aid education from health staff significantly raised the mothers' first-aid knowledge mean scores.

Conclusions:

This study found that there is a need for health staff to give education to mothers living in rural areas about first-aid for serious injuries and that their current knowledge levels are inadequate.