Knowledge and attitudes of nurses in a major public hospital in Cyprus towards pressure ulcer prevention

Abstract

Study aim: The main aim of the study was to identify the knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards pressure ulcer prevention in a major public hospital in Cyprus.

Material and methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study design was used to collect the data between December 2014 and February 2015, the sample consisted of n = 102 nurses employed in a major public hospital in Cyprus. Customised and standardised Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test and an attitudes Likert questionnaire was used to investigate both parameters. Descriptive and inferential statistics, parametric (t-test), non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U) and Pearson test was applied. Statistical significance was set at p = 0.05.

Results: The majority of the participants (44.1%) n = 45 were employed in the intensive care unit, were female (61.8%) n = 63, registered nurses (93.1%) n = 95, had more than 5 years of experience (59.4%) n = 32 and 10.8% (n = 11) had a postgraduate title. The mean value regarding the knowledge questionnaire was 16.16, IQR: 17(15-18) correct answers 77%. In the attitudes questionnaire the median value was 41.82, IQR: 43 (40-46). Knowledge and attitudes correlated positively and statistically significantly (Pearson's R = 0,223, p = 0,019).

Conclusion: The result suggests that nurses had relatively inadequate knowledge levels and positive attitudes, attitudes and knowledges correlated statistically significantly and positively. It is proposed that through the development of educational programs and the frequent measurement of the two parameters further improvement can be achieved.

Keywords: Attitudes; Knowledge; Nurses; Nursing; Pressure sores; Pressure ulcers; Prevention; Preventive measures.