The Effect of Innovative Choking Simulated Vest on Self-Effcacy and Skills in Choking First Aid among Public Health Volunteers, Bangkok

Abstract

Background: Choking is a life-threatening emergency that can lead to airway obstruction and fatality if not addressed promptly. Effective first aid is critical in increasing survival rates. To enhance choking response training, this study developed a novel choking simulation vest. Objective: To compared the effects of the choking simulation vest on self-efficacy and first aid skills in choking management among Bangkok's public health volunteers. Methods: A quasi-experimental study included 64 participants, divided into two groups of 32. The control group received standard choking first aid training, while the experimental group received the same training with the addition of a choking simulation vest. Data was collected between August and September 2024 using three instruments: a general information questionnaire, a self-efficacy assessment, and a choking first aid skills evaluation checklist. Pre- and post-training assessments were conducted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and hypothesis testing was performed using the independent samples t-test with a significance level of .05. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in self-efficacy for choking first aid, self-administered first aid skills, and assisted first aid skills compared to the control group (mean difference =2.88, p < .001; MD=1.06, p < .05 and MD=1.28, p < .001, respectively). Conclusion: The choking simulation vest enhances self-efficacy and first aid skills in choking management. Therefore, it should be utilized as a learning tool for choking response training to increase the confidence of trainees, ultimately enabling them to provide safe and effective first aid for choking victims.