Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge of basic life-support and training experience in cardiopulmonary resuscitation among the public in Hong Kong and to identify areas for improvement in public education.
Design: Telephone interview using a structured multiple-choice questionnaire.
Setting: Random cross-section of the Hong Kong public, from mid-March to May 2002.
Participants: Men and women aged 16 years and older selected using random telephone dialling.
Main outcome measure: Overall score in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge questionnaire.
Results: Of the 357 participants, approximately 12% had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge in Hong Kong was poor, even among the previously trained and especially with regard to circulatory maintenance. The most common reason for not taking cardiopulmonary resuscitation training was lack of time.
Conclusion: The degree of citizen preparedness in initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation is very poor in Hong Kong. Intensified educational efforts and exploration of new approaches to improve this first stage in the chain of survival are warranted.