40 out of 54 schools (74.1%) completed the questionnaire. Most schools catered for mixed genders (57.5%). The majority were in the Northern Harbour district (37.5%). Two schools (5.0%) had a documented SCA in one of their pupils in the past 10 years, one on school premises. The majority (n=35, 87.5%) agreed that SCA prevention is an important health concern (Table 1). Almost all schools favoured a systematic cardiac screening program in schools (undecided n=1, 2.6%; agree n=9, 23.7%; strongly agree, n=28, 73.7%).
Table 1
Introductory Questions
School Characteristics
|
Frequency (%)
|
District
Southern Harbour
Norther Harbour
South Eastern
Western
Northern
Gozo
|
9 (22.5)
15 (37.5)
3 (7.5)
5 (12.5)
4 (10.0)
4 (10.0)
|
Gender
Male
Female
Mixed
|
10 (25.0)
7 (17.5)
23 (57.5)
|
Recorded Sudden Cardiac Arrest in School
Yes (Both Pupils)
No
|
2 (5.0)
38 (95.0)
|
Do you agree that Sudden Cardiac Death prevention is important?
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Undecided
Agree
Strongly agree
|
3 (7.5)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
2 (5.0)
35 (87.5)
|
The next section of the questionnaire addressed AED availability (Table 2). The majority have heard of an AED and its function (n=39, 97.5%). Most schools are equipped with an AED (n=37, 92.5%). Only 1 AED on site is typically present (n=27, 75.0%). Most schools reported that their AED/s were in an easily accessible area (n=35, 97.2%), defined in this study as ‘an area of no further than a two-minute brisk walk from places in which they were likely to be used’. Despite this, almost half of the schools did not have a risk assessment prior to AED installation (n=17, 47.2%). This consequently led to AEDs not being available on every floor in most (n=37, 97.2%) and not being close to a sporting facility in almost a third (n=11, 30.6%).
Table 2
Automated External Defibrillators in Secondary Schools
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) availability
|
Frequency (%)
|
Have you ever heard of an AED?
Yes
No
|
39 (97.5)
1 (2.5)
|
Are you aware what an AED is capable of?
Yes
No
|
39 (97.5)
1 (2.5)
|
Is there an AED present on school premises?
Yes
No
|
37 (92.5)
3 (7.5)
|
How many AEDs are present in schools?
1
2
3
4
>5
|
27 (75.0)
5 (13.9)
2 (5.5)
1 (2.8)
1 (2.8)
|
Are AEDs (if present) serviced regularly as advised by the manufacturer?
Yes
No
|
34 (94.4)
2 (5.6)
|
Is the AED located in easily accessible areas?
Yes
No
|
35 (97.2)
1 (2.8)
|
Is there an AED on every floor?
Yes
No
|
1 (2.8)
35 (97.2)
|
Is an AED located close to sporting facilities?
Yes
No
|
25 (69.4)
11 (30.6)
|
Were all AED locations subjected to a risk assessment prior to installation?
Yes
No
|
19 (52.8)
17 (47.2)
|
History of SCA in a school pupil did not have any influence on the availability of AED (p=0.860) or proximity to a sporting facility (p=0.722). History of SCA at school did not positively influence the number of installed AEDs (≤1 vs ≥2 AED, p=0.413)., but there seemed to be a direct relationship between history of SCA at schools and AED availability on every floor (p=0.056). More AEDs on school grounds did not influence the likelihood of device installation close to a sporting facility (p=0.432). This was also independent of pupil gender (p=0.691) and school location (p=0.222).
Most schools do not organise regular CPR courses (n=21, 58.3%)(Table 3), The majority have staff certified in life support (n=35, 89.7%), A quarter of schools report more than 5 certified staff members (n=8, 23.5%) and the majority have undergone recertification (n=28, 82.4%). The number of AEDs on site did not increase the likelihood of having CPR courses organised at school (p=0.607). Additionally, there was no association between the number of certified staff members and the number of installed AEDs (p=0.806).
Table 3
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation competence and certification
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) competence and certification
|
Frequency (%)
|
Does the school organise regular (annual or more frequent) CPR courses?
Yes (not including AED)
Yes (including AED)
No
|
6 (16.7)
9 (25.0)
21 (58.3)
|
Are school staff certified in basic/intermediate/advanced life support at school?
Yes
No
|
35 (89.7)
4 (10.3)
|
How many staff members are certified life support providers?
1
2
3
4
>5
|
6 (17.7)
8 (23.5)
8 (23.5)
4 (11.8)
8 (23.5)
|
Have they undergone recertification as recommended by the body delivering this certification?
Yes
No
|
28 (82.4)
6 (17.7)
|