A structured progressive training intervention for chest compressions among primary health care personnel: a multicentre pilot non-randomised quasi-experimental study

High-quality chest compressions are a key component of effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Retention of CPR skills among healthcare personnel remains limited over time, particularly in settings with low exposure to cardiac arrest. This study assessed whether a brief, 25-min structured progressive training intervention was associated with improved chest compression quality among primary health care (PHC) personnel and whether skills were retained after three months. A multicentre, quasi-experimental, non-randomised, single-group pre–post study was conducted in 16 PHC clinics. Chest compression quality was assessed at baseline (T0), immediately after training (T1), and at three-month follow-up (T2) using a manikin-based feedback system. The primary outcome was the overall compression score. Secondary outcomes included compression depth, hand position, chest recoil, adequate depth, and compression rate. Within-subject changes over time were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. A total of 152 participants completed the baseline and immediate post-training practical assessments, and 125 completed the three-month follow-up. The median overall compression score increased from 19 at baseline to 84 immediately after training and remained above baseline at three months (73; T0–T1 and T0–T2, both p < 0.001). All compression parameters improved immediately after training. At three months, some parameters had declined, but all remained above baseline values. The intervention was associated with improved simulated chest-compression performance among personnel working in settings with low exposure to cardiac arrest, with partial retention at three months.