Introduction:
Although bystander CPR has been shown to increase rates of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, recent work has demonstrated low rates of layperson training across the US. In an attempt to increase layperson CPR training, states have passed legislation that mandates CPR training before high school graduation. No study has assessed the impact of this legislation on likelihood of CPR training.
Objectives:
We assessed whether an association existed between state mandated CPR training during high school and the likelihood of young adults being currently trained or ever trained in CPR. We hypothesized younger individuals in states with required CPR training by graduation would be more likely to be currently trained or ever trained in CPR.
Methods:
From 09/2015-11/2015, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of the US adult population using random-digit telephone dialing (n=9,022). Data were weighted by state and assessed through univariate and multivariate analyses controlling for confounding variables. Individuals age 18-24 years old were considered “young” and healthcare workers were excluded in the analysis. Subjects in the five states whose mandatory training laws began in or before the 2013-2014 school year were considered.
Results:
Of the 9,022 participants, individuals were classified by whether they lived in state that mandated training (n=924) or did not (n=8,084). After accounting for confounding variables, 33% of all laypeople in states with mandated training were currently trained while 27% of laypeople in states without mandated training were currently trained (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.07-1.48, p=0.01). Younger adults were 59% more likely to be currently trained in states with mandated training than in states without it (OR: 1.59, 95%CI 1.34-1.89, p<0.01). In addition, younger adults were also 48% more likely to be ever trained in states with mandated training (OR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.02-2.10 p=0.04).
Conclusion:
Younger adults were more likely to be trained in states with laws mandating CPR training for high school graduation. In addition, younger adults were more likely to have ever been trained in states with laws requiring compulsory CPR training for high school graduation.
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