Medine Akkan ÖZ, Hüseyin MUTLU, Uğur ŞAKAR, Yunus YATMAZ, Murat Tuğra KÖSA, Müge YENİGÜN, Murat GENÇ, Ayşenur GÜR, Esma KIR, Lukasz SZARPAK
Eurasian Journal of Emergency Medicine - 2026;25(1):263-271
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, perceived self-efficacy, intention to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and perceived barriers among law enforcement personnel (LEP) working within the Ankara Provincial Police Department. Additionally, the relationship between self-efficacy and intention to use AEDs was examined. Materials and Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2026 with 525 LEP. Data were collected via an anonymous, structured online questionnaire including sociodemographic items, a 10-item AED knowledge test, and Likert-type scales assessing attitudes, perceived self-efficacy, intention to use AEDs, and perceived barriers. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were performed. Results: Participants demonstrated high AED knowledge and generally positive attitudes toward AED use. Perceived self-efficacy and intention-to-use scores indicated adequate readiness for intervention. A strong positive correlation was identified between self-efficacy and intention to use AEDs (r=0.776, p<0.001), with self-efficacy explaining a substantial proportion of the variance in intention. Personnel who had received AED-specific training showed significantly higher scores across all measured domains compared with untrained personnel. The most frequently reported barriers were lack of knowledge regarding AED location and uncertainty about device operation. Conclusions: Although LEP showed favorable knowledge and attitudes toward AED use, AED-specific training and device accessibility remain essential for effective intervention. Perceived self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of intention to use an AED. Integrating targeted AED training, improving device visibility, and clarifying legal protections may enhance early defibrillation and improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes.
