Association of knowledge and observed skills with self-reported readiness of nurses and midwives to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a tertiary hospital in Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical emergency intervention, yet evidence on CPR competence and readiness among nurses and midwives in Ghana is limited. This study assessed CPR knowledge, observed skills, self-reported readiness, and factors associated with readiness in a tertiary hospital.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses and midwives in critical and emergency care units. Of 331 eligible staff, 271 participated (81.9% response rate). Knowledge was assessed using a structured test, skills were observed on a manikin using a 12-item checklist and self-reported readiness using an 11-item Likert scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and binomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Most respondents had low CPR knowledge (94.8%), while 65.7% demonstrated adequate observed skills and 90.0% reported moderate readiness. In the binomial logistic regression, adequate CPR skills were associated with moderate readiness (AOR = 12.84, 95% CI [4.09, 40.36], p < .001). Moderate knowledge was associated with lower odds of moderate readiness compared with low knowledge (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI [0.03, 0.46], p = .003), although this finding should be interpreted cautiously. Other demographic and training variables were not significant predictors.

CONCLUSION

CPR preparedness was characterised by low theoretical knowledge, comparatively better but incomplete observed skills and moderate self-reported readiness among the nurses and midwives. Observed CPR skills were strongly associated with readiness. Therefore, regular simulation-based training and competency assessment combining knowledge testing with observed practical performance are recommended.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.