Abstract
This study tries to examine the level of safety consciousness and first aid knowledge of 124 college students who attend non-public health departments in Gwangju from April 1 to 30, 2003 and apply the results of the study to curriculum. The results of this study are as follows; 1. On experiences of need of first-aid, 87.5% of respondents said 'yes' and there was a significant difference in the number of their siblings($x^2$ = 7.482, p = .048). 2. Sources of education of first aid were mostly at school(46.8%), no education(23.4%), through mass communication(22.6%) and by themselves(7.3%). There were significant differences by characteristics in sex($x^2$ = 30.230, p = .000), year($x^2$ = 10.821, p = .013) and mother's education($x^2$ = 18.932, p = .025). 3. Sources of information of first aid were mostly through TV(46.8%), followed by others (42.7%), newspapers(7.3%) and magazines(3.2%). 4. On the opinions of the most suitable period for educating first aid, elementary school was highest(41.9%), followed by kindergarten(29.0%), middle school(21.0%) and high school (8.1%) and there were significant difference by characteristics of subjects in sex($x^2$=9.689, p= .021) and year($x^2$=19.661, p= .000). 5. Score of knowledge level of safety consciousness was mean $71.58{\pm}12.05$ based on Likert 5-point scale with a full mark of 100 points and there was a significance only in current residence of subjects' general characteristics(F or t=3.894, p=.023). 6. Score of knowledge level of first aid was mean $62.73{\pm}13.29$ based on Likert 3-point scale with a full mark of 90 points and there was a significance only in residential type of subjects' general characteristics(F or t=3.058, p= .031). Although college students felt needs of first aid more than middle and high school students, it was found that their actual safety consciousness and knowledge level of first aid were low. Therefore, knowledge and ability should be developed to save human life from all kinds of emergencies and safety accident and first aid subjects should be separated in college curriculum and opportunity for actual education should be given.