Journal of Disease and Global Health

Introduction: Immediate initiation of Basic Life Support is critical for survival following cardiac arrest. However, gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practice persist among healthcare professionals, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study examined factors influencing Basic Life Support knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practice among frontline healthcare providers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey conducted among licensed doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, and radiographers at a Nigerian tertiary hospital. The original study used a structured, self-administered questionnaire aligned with the 2024 American Heart Association Basic Life Support guidelines to assess knowledge (score range 0–15), attitudes (nine-item scale), and self-reported practice. For this analysis, non-parametric tests and binary logistic regression were used to identify predictors of adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, confidence in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and preparedness for pediatric Basic Life Support. Qualitative content analysis was applied to open-ended responses on barriers to mouth-to-mouth ventilation.

Results: In the multivariable analyses of 281 healthcare professionals, professional cadre, clinical experience, age, and training engagement independently predicted Basic Life Support outcomes. Adequate knowledge was significantly associated with being a nurse or radiographer, having more than 15 years of clinical experience, and regular engagement in refresher training. Positive attitudes were independently associated with younger age and prior training exposure, while self-reported confidence and preparedness for pediatric resuscitation were influenced primarily by professional role, sex, and prior training rather than knowledge level, revealing a persistent knowledge–practice gap. Qualitative analysis identified fear of infection as the dominant barrier to mouth-to-mouth ventilation.

Conclusion: Despite high training exposure, substantial gaps in Basic Life Support knowledge and preparedness persist. Professional role, experience, age, and training exposure influence preparedness outcomes. Strengthening structured refresher training, pediatric-focused education, and institutional resuscitation protocols is essential to improve real-world resuscitation readiness in resource-limited settings.