Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
Training first medical responders in India has been considered a very cost-effective intervention for frequently occurring diseases and injuries. In 2013, the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders together with the Indian Red Cross, launched a project to develop evidence-based first aid guidelines and prevention advice specifically adapted to the Indian context. As a basis for these guidelines, scientific evidence was sought to decide which first aid and preventive interventions are effective.
Objectives:
Development of evidence-based guidelines to train lay people on how to manage and prevent emergency situations in India.
Methods:
In a previous first aid guideline project, we performed evidence-based reviews to study the effectiveness of several first aid and preventive interventions relevant for laypeople. Additionally, we identified evidence on effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of various first aid and preventive procedures from Indian studies, and on alternative interventions that have been used by Indian lay people. The quality of the scientific evidence was determined according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.
Results:
After developing 68 specific search strategies in PubMed, 48 studies were selected that were in favor of 10 different first aid interventions (such as using rice oral rehydration salts/rice water for diarrhoea) and 16 different preventive interventions (such as burning neem oil in a kerosene lamp to prevent malaria, or yoga to promote a safe pregnancy), relevant for India. Based on the evidence conclusions and expert opinions of a multi-disciplinary panel of 12 Indian experts who met in New Delhi, final recommendations were formulated. This resulted in the Indian First Aid Guidelines.
Conclusions:
By searching for evidence from Indian studies and on alternative Indian interventions, we were able to develop evidence-based first aid guidelines adapted to the Indian context. In a next step, didactical materials based on these contextualized guidelines will be developed and tested in a pilot implementation phase in different districts of India.
Training first medical responders in India has been considered a very cost-effective intervention for frequently occurring diseases and injuries. In 2013, the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders together with the Indian Red Cross, launched a project to develop evidence-based first aid guidelines and prevention advice specifically adapted to the Indian context. As a basis for these guidelines, scientific evidence was sought to decide which first aid and preventive interventions are effective.
Objectives:
Development of evidence-based guidelines to train lay people on how to manage and prevent emergency situations in India.
Methods:
In a previous first aid guideline project, we performed evidence-based reviews to study the effectiveness of several first aid and preventive interventions relevant for laypeople. Additionally, we identified evidence on effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of various first aid and preventive procedures from Indian studies, and on alternative interventions that have been used by Indian lay people. The quality of the scientific evidence was determined according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.
Results:
After developing 68 specific search strategies in PubMed, 48 studies were selected that were in favor of 10 different first aid interventions (such as using rice oral rehydration salts/rice water for diarrhoea) and 16 different preventive interventions (such as burning neem oil in a kerosene lamp to prevent malaria, or yoga to promote a safe pregnancy), relevant for India. Based on the evidence conclusions and expert opinions of a multi-disciplinary panel of 12 Indian experts who met in New Delhi, final recommendations were formulated. This resulted in the Indian First Aid Guidelines.
Conclusions:
By searching for evidence from Indian studies and on alternative Indian interventions, we were able to develop evidence-based first aid guidelines adapted to the Indian context. In a next step, didactical materials based on these contextualized guidelines will be developed and tested in a pilot implementation phase in different districts of India.