BUILDING A HEART SAFE SINGAPORE: PERCEPTION OF CHINESE SINGAPOREANS TOWARDS BYSTANDER CPR AND AED USE

Abstract

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is a worldwide public health problem. Singapore is of no exception. Despite concerted policy efforts, its OHCA survival rate as well as bystander CPR and defibrillation rates remain low. In order to address the problem, it is necessary to understand lay perceptions towards bystander CPR and AED use. Hence, this study aims to find out how Chinese Singaporeans perceive bystander CPR and AED use, as well as the factors that affect their perceptions. Based on a literature review, I propose to conceptualize lay perceptions via three dimensions- aware, knowledgeable and practically confident. A grounded and qualitative approach was used as my research methodology. I conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 purposefully chosen Chinese Singaporean respondents from diverse demographic backgrounds. The study contributes to existing literature by proposing a systematic analytical framework with regards to the issue and revealing new influencing factors via a qualitative approach. Most importantly, the findings suggest a need for better implementation of policies via stronger promotion and enhancement of public education efforts, as well as the introduction of a Good Samaritan Law.