Construction and validation of a first aid knowledge test for secondary school teachers

The primary purpose of this study was to construct and validate an instrument to measure secondary school teachers' knowledge of first aid for accidents/medical emergencies that may occur at school. Also, the knowledge of first aid among a selected population of secondary school teachers was assessed. The sample population comprised 196 secondary school teachers from the Pitt County, North Carolina, Schools.

The criterion-referenced test was constructed by the investigator. Initially, school nurses were surveyed to determine the accidents/ medical emergencies for which secondary school teachers should be able to administer first aid. Based on the results of this survey, test items were written. Each item described a situation in which an accident or medical emergency had occurred and included four different courses of action that could be taken in administering first aid. These items were then reviewed by a jury of content specialists in first aid and emergency care. Revisions were made and twenty-five items were chosen for the field test. An empirical analysis of the field test data followed which served to further refine the test.

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. Specific accidents/medical emergencies for which secondary school teachers should be able to administer first aid were established.

2. The test was valid and reliable for the purpose of measuring secondary school teachers' knowledge of first aid for accidents/ medical emergencies that may occur at school.

3. Knowledge of first aid for accidents/medical emergencies that may occur at school, as measured by the test, was closely related to American Red Cross certification status and student supervision responsibility.