Journal of Disease and Global Health

Background: Basic Life Support (BLS) is a critical skill for healthcare professionals (HCPs), yet gaps in knowledge and practice persist despite generally positive attitudes. Limited data exist on how these domains interact across professional groups in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed BLS knowledge, attitudes, and practice among HCPs, and their associations with demographic and professional factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCPs at a tertiary hospital using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively and with inferential statistics to evaluate associations between knowledge, attitude, practice, and participant characteristics.

Results: A total of 281 HCPs participated, more than half of whom were early-career (≤5 years of experience) and female, with nurses forming the largest group. Most had received prior BLS training (79.7%) and displayed positive attitudes, but only 17.8% demonstrated adequate knowledge. Fewer than one-fifth had attended training within the past year. Knowledge was not significantly associated with demographic or professional factors. Attitudes, however, were significantly associated with marital status (χ² (3) = 13.77, P = .003), prior training (P < .001), and recency of training (χ²(3) = 18.83, P < .001). Although most participants expressed willingness to perform BLS, practice gaps were evident, including unfamiliarity with protocols, infrequent equipment checks, and low confidence, especially in pediatric resuscitation. Doctors and nurses felt more confident and were more likely to have initiated CPR than radiographers and dentists. Radiographers reported the highest proportion of positive attitudes (80.0%).

Conclusion: While attitudes toward BLS were encouraging, knowledge and practice readiness were inadequate. These findings highlight the need for regular refresher training, inclusion of all professional cadres, and clear institutional protocols reinforced through drills. Greater emphasis on pediatric preparedness is warranted to address professional disparities. Strengthening both individual competence and institutional systems is essential to improve resuscitation capacity and patient outcomes.