Community trends in CPR training and use: The Minnesota heart survey

Study objective: To examine community changes in self-reported CPR training and use from 1980-82 to 1985-87 using data obtained from the Minnesota Heart Survey. A comparative investigation of CPR training among blacks and whites in 1985-86 also was completed. Design: Data were obtained in 1980-81 1981-82 1985-86, and 1986-87 from four population-based samples drawn from the seven-county Minneapolis-St Paul metropolitan area. To increase sample sizes and to compare prevalences of CPR training and use in the early 1980s with prevalences in the mid-1980s, the four Minnesota Heart Survey surveys were combined into two time periods 1980-82 and 1985-87. A separate survey of black individuals was conducted in 1985, and these data were used in the comparisons between blacks and whites in 1985-86. Results: The prevalence of whites trained in CPR increased significantly between 1980-82 and 1985-87 in both nonhealth professionals (18.5% vs 30.9%) and health professionals (71.9% vs 86.8%). No significant change was observed between the two periods in the percentage of nonhealth professionals who had ever used their CPR skills (9.7% vs 10.7%), whereas use among health professionals increased significantly (40.2% vs 53.4%). Training within the prior two or three years decreased from 1980-82 to 1985-87 among nonhealth professionals, but increases in recent training were observed among health professionals. There were no significant differences between black and white nonhealth professionals in the prevalence of CPR training. Black trainees, however, reported a higher percentage of ever using CPR skills than white trainees (15.4% vs 9.8%, respectively). Black trainees also had higher rates of recent CPR training than white trainees. No differences were observed between black and white health professionals regarding CPR training and use, or recency of certification. Conclusion: These results suggest that the percentage of individuals trained in CPR is increasing. Improvement is needed, however, in the rates of recent certification among nonhealth professionals.