Awareness and Practice of First Aid Among Physical Education Teachers in Delta State

Physical education settings present inherent risks of injury, making first aid knowledge and competence among physical education teachers a critical safety requirement. This study assesses the level of awareness and practice of first aid among physical education teachers in public secondary schools in Delta State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with data collected from 180 physical education teachers across 12 local government areas using a structured, validated questionnaire covering knowledge of basic first aid procedures, injury management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and emergency response protocols. Findings indicate that while 74 percent of respondents express awareness of general first aid concepts, practical competence is substantially lower, with only 29 percent demonstrating adequate knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures and fewer than 22 percent having received formal first aid training within the preceding three years. Teachers in urban schools are significantly more likely to have received recent first aid training than those in rural locations. The absence of first aid kits in the majority of schools compounds the risk to students during physical activities. Recommendations include mandatory first aid certification as a prerequisite for physical education teaching appointments, periodic refresher training organised by the state Teaching Service Commission, and the provision of adequately stocked first aid kits in all schools with physical education programmes. This study highlights critical safety gaps within the school physical education system in Delta State. Keywords: first aid, physical education teachers, secondary schools, Delta State, safety