Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward Basic Life Support among Medical Students in South Kerala

Introduction: Basic life support (BLS) skills are crucial for healthcare professionals, particularly in regions with limited emergency medical services. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to BLS among medical students in south Kerala. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire with 373 medical students (1 st to 4 th year) at a medical institution in south Kerala, from July to September 2024. The data were analyzed using Jamovi (V2.3.28). Results: A significant 83.9% of participants demonstrated poor BLS knowledge (scoring <60%). The mean knowledge score was 11.18 out of 25. Knowledge scores improved with each advancing year of study and were notably higher in students who had attended a BLS workshop. While most of the participants recognized the importance of BLS, 80.2% of participants lacked confidence in performing BLS in real-life scenarios. Only 12.1% of participants had applied BLS skills in an actual emergency. Conclusion: This study reveals significant deficiencies in BLS knowledge and practical application among medical students in south Kerala. There is a critical need for more robust and comprehensive BLS training, including hands-on simulations and real-life exposure, to equip future healthcare providers with the necessary skills and confidence.