Abstract

Background: Injury is defined medically as being harmed as a result of trauma, whereas first aid is the urgent medical care that is provided to the victim till further medical treatment and care arrive. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of domestic injuries among Kuwaitis, the most common injury in each particular age group, to assess' the awareness of first aid and know the best way to raise first aid knowledge.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 600 Kuwaitis aged 18 years and above between July and August 2013. Data collection was done at shopping malls (Alkout, Sharq, Alfanar, and Almobarkyya), through a questionnaire.
Results: The results of this research showed that the prevalence of domestic injuries was more than two-thirds of the participants. Cut wounds represented the highest injury and electric shock was the lowest. There was a variation on whether the response was right or wrong depending on the injury. There was also variation in the opinions of the participants on how to improve first-aid knowledge, preferring it to be a part of the school curriculum, making it as practical courses or making television shows about it.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the prevalence of domestic injuries in the Kuwaiti population was high. Besides, the awareness regarding the first aid was good. Finally, it could be concluded that there is a high chance for Kuwaitis to fill the missing gap in learning the most fundamental basic aspects of first aid.

Key words: Prevalence, domestic injuries, awareness, first aid, Kuwaiti population, 18-year old and above