Learning to Resuscitate: A Feasibility Study of using Kids Save Lives Malaysia (KSLM) Course for Indigenous Primary School Students in Pahang, Malaysia

The global rise in cardiac arrests is a major public health challenge, especially for indigenous communities with limited emergency healthcare, resulting in higher out-of-hospital deaths. This study aimed to assess how the "Kids Save Lives Malaysia" (KSLM) course improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge, skills and attitudes among Indigenous primary school students. A quasi-experimental study was conducted using post-assessment non-equivalent-design involving 74 students aged 10-12. Differences among 10-12-year-old students were significant overall (p < .001). Notable variations emerged in knowledge (p < .001), where 12-year-olds scored the highest mean (M = 6.26), followed by 11-year-olds (M = 4.78) and 10-year-olds (M = 3.96). Additionally, differences were observed in technical skills (p = .008), with 10-year-olds having the highest mean (M = 10.25), followed by 11-year-olds (M = 9.13) and 12-year-olds (M = 8.48). Attitudinal variations were also significant (p < .001), showing 11-year-olds with the highest mean (M = 44.1), followed by 10-year-olds (M = 41.29) and 12-year-olds (M = 39.04). The feasibility study refines the Malaysian KSLM course for schoolchildren by addressing cognitive overload in assessment and delivery. It provides policymakers with insights for future improvements and supports widespread implementation, marking a crucial step in advancing healthcare education in Malaysia.