Training effectiveness

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the public education courses (first aid and emergency preparedness) of Red Crescent Society (RCS) on attitude, knowledge, and performance of conscripted personnel of the Iranian armed forces towards first aid and facing of hazards and disasters. METHODS: In this descriptive and quasi-experimental study, a total of 680 armed forces conscripts across the country were evaluated using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Based on Cochran's formula, 340 individuals were assigned to the experimental group (trained by RCS trainers) and 340 to the control group (not trained). A researcher-made questionnaire contains two sections and main components (attitude, knowledge, and performance), was developed using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model. Its content validity (CVR=0.86) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.89) were confirmed. Data analyzed using SPSS-22 included Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests. FINDINGS: According to the results, the RCS public education courses had a statistically significant positive effect on participants’ attitude (mean score 4.1, p<0.05), knowledge (4.0, p<0.05), and performance (3.6, p<0.05); also, total score (3.8, p<0.05) in the experimental group are lower compared to the control group (attitude 2.8, knowledge 3.7, performance 3.3, total score 3.2). CONCLUSION: The RCS public education training courses significantly improved the attitude, knowledge, and performance of conscripted armed forces personnel which these results support the continuation and potential expansion of such training initiatives to enhance military preparedness and response capability.