FIREFIGHTERS' KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ADVANCED FIRST AID IN THERMAL BURNS IN CHILDREN: SURVEY RESEARCH

Background
The aim of the study was the assessment of the level of firefighters’ knowledge about the principles of helping injured minors (children of no specific age) with thermal burns.

Material and methods
An anonymous survey was conducted in the period 01.02.2023-30.04.2023 among firefighters in the three Polish voivodships: Lublin, Świętokrzyskie and Warmian-Masurian. The study included 346 people who agreed to participate in the study and completed the questionnaire. The original questionnaire included 17 questions regarding demographics and checking the knowledge of emergency medical services including the issue of thermal burns.

Results
In the study group, the average length of service was 11±7 years. People with longer work experience were statistically significantly more likely to provide aid to burn victims (45% vs. 58%, p=0.022), but there was no statistically significant impact of work experience on the level of knowledge about: the influence of the burn surface area on the risk of developing hypothermia in a child (p=0.880; p=0.482), the severe burn surface area in a child (p=0.478; p=0.143), and calculating the burn surface area in a child (p=0.408; p=0.168).

Conclusions
The level of firefighters’ knowledge about helping minors injured due to thermal burns is insufficient. The frequency of helping burn victims did not have a significant impact on the level of knowledge about the burn surface area and the risk of shock. Child’s reactions to stress and pain, as well as the emotions of parents are indicated as the most frequent difficulties while providing advanced first aid.