Assessing First Aid Knowledge and Practice Among Taxi Drivers: A Cross Sectional Study on Road Traffic Accident (RTA) Preparedness in Palestine

Background : Road accidents present significant challenges to the safety of taxi passengers and pedestrians. Taxi drivers, therefore, have a critical role in providing primary care and demonstrating appropriate behavior during emergencies. This responsibility demands specialized skills and quick responses to changing traffic conditions and road scenarios. First aid refers to the immediate assistance or treatment given at the site of an accident to an injured person or someone who has fallen ill suddenly, before the arrival of an ambulance. Objective : This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice levels of Palestinian taxi drivers in providing first aid during road traffic accidents, as well as to explore the impact of demographic factors on their knowledge and practices. Methodology : This cross-sectional study included a sample of 230 taxi drivers from Ramallah city. The study targeted Palestinian taxi drivers aged 22 years and above. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS software, version 28. Results : The findings indicate that slightly more than half of the participants have adequate knowledge (57.4%), while the remainder (42.6%) have inadequate knowledge. Similarly, 56.1% of the participants were found to have adequate practice, as opposed to 43.9% with inadequate practice. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between knowledge and practice (r=0.230, p=0.001). Conclusion : The study highlights that a significant proportion of participants lacks adequate knowledge and practice in administering first aid. This deficiency points to the critical need for comprehensive training and the establishment of first aid protocols among taxi drivers. Enhancing their first aid skills is crucial in reducing preventable deaths and injuries resulting from traffic accidents, underscoring the urgency for intervention. Keywords: Knowledge, Practice, First aid, Taxi Driver. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/15-5-02 Publication date: April 30 th 2024