A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge and Practice of First Aid and Its Determinants among School Teachers in Karur District

Background: First aid is a vital life-saving skill, particularly in schools where children are vulnerable to injuries and medical emergencies. Teachers, as the immediate responders, play a crucial role in ensuring timely assistance and child safety. Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of first aid among school teachers in Karur district, Tamil Nadu and to identify factors influencing their performance. Methodology: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 440 school teachers selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a validated, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 21.0 using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of participants was 37.5±8.9 years and 85.5% were female. Overall, 57.3% reported prior first aid training. Good knowledge was observed in 54.5% of teachers, with higher knowledge regarding breathing difficulty (84.5%) and animal bites (71.1%), but lower for severe bleeding (15.5%) and epilepsy (28%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for potential confounders, only training status was significantly associated with knowledge (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.29–2.94). Good practice was reported by only 19.3% of teachers; postgraduate education and non-science subject specialization were independent predictors of good practice. Conclusions: More than half of the teachers had good knowledge, but correct practice was notably poor, showing a knowledge-practice gap. Regular, structured and hands-on training programs, supported by adequate resources in schools, are essential to enhance preparedness in managing emergencies.