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Published on: March 3, 2014
An assessment of nurses' knowledge of botulism
Christopher E Bork1, Paul P Rega
1Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio 43614, USA. christopher.bork@utoledo.edu
Objective:
To assess nurses' knowledge of botulism, a Centers for Disease Control Category A bioterrorism agent, one case of which constitutes an emergency.
Design:
The study utilized survey research.
Sample:
The cluster sample included 1,414 registered nurses.
Measure:
The survey gathered demographic data and nurses' knowledge of the background, manifestation and management of botulism.
Results:
The mean percentage of correct answers for the sample was 25.95%, with a standard deviation (SD) of ±19.89%. Only 90 (6.3%) achieved 60% or more correct. Educational preparation, experience, specialty/area of practice and whether nurses had a class in disaster medicine were also examined and although differences were noted, none of these factors accounted for a score of 60% or above.
Conclusions:
The results of this study indicate the need for an assessment of the current education nurses receive about botulism.
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