Purpose: This study assessed knowledge, attitude and handling practice of accident casualties among Nigerian undergraduates.

Relevance: The increasing prevalence of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) and the consequent injuries and disabilities are a global health concern. However, informed knowledge and positive attitude are important factors in reducing post-accident injuries, human sufferings and economic tolls.

Participants: Four hundred and one (71.1% non-medical and medical 28.9%) undergraduate students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria volunteered in this study yielding a response rate of 89.1%.

Methods: A previously validated questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practice of accident casualties handling was used in this cross-sectional study.

Analysis: Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and frequency were used to summarize data. Inferential statistic of Chi-square was used to test the associations between knowledge, attitude and practice of practice of accident casualties handling. Alpha level was set at p<0.05.

Results: Only 22.7% of the respondents were trained in fist aids. 50.1% of the respondents had witnessed at least an accident involving car to car collision (38.3%) and car to motor cycle collision (28.4%). 13.4% of the respondents reported a positive history of involvement in accidents, 74.6% were passers-by while 11.9% were standing-by at accident scene. Only 14.4% of the respondents had handled accident casualties. Lifting casualty to sitting was the most common practice (51.7%) among the accident handlers. Handlers at accident scenes were mostly concerned about their safety (41.3%). All respondents (100%) who had handled casualties at any time demonstrated positive attitude to handling casualties, however, more than half (69%) of the respondents had fair knowledge about accident casualty handling. 79.3% of the respondents who had handled accident casualties demonstrated incorrect practices.

Conclusions: Nigerian undergraduates demonstrated positive attitude but have limited knowledge about accident handling and lack appropriate skills in ensuring safety and prevention of further disabilities to casualties.

Implications: This study indicates an urgent need for training, enlightenment and education of the general populace in sub-Sahara Africa in casualty handling. It is therefore suggested that learning on first aid and casualty handling be incorporated in schools curricula.