Improving nursing knowledge and care for neonates with respiratory distress in Jordan

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an educational intervention in the area of nursing knowledge and practice relating to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

In Jordan, respiratory distress is the leading cause of death among neonates. Recent studies have revealed a knowledge deficit relating to respiratory distress among nurses in neonatal intensive care units, hence the need for advanced training and specialization in this area.

A quasi-experimental, repeated-measures, one-group pre-test-post-test design was used to assess the effectiveness of the educational intervention. A convenience sample of 48 nurses was recruited from three hospitals in northern Jordan. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to assess the respondents' knowledge of respiratory distress and an observational checklist to assess their practice. The study intervention consisted of 12 two-hour lecture-based interactive teaching sessions lasting 4 weeks. A follow-up assessment was conducted 1 month after the post-test.

The baseline assessment revealed that more than half of the nurses scored low on knowledge and the majority scored low on practice. One-way repeated ANOVA showed that post-test and follow-up test scores on nursing knowledge and practice were significantly higher than the baseline scores.

The study findings show the efficacy of educational interventions in enhancing nursing knowledge and practice relating to the care of neonates with respiratory distress.

For neonatal nurses, periodic teaching and training interventions are essential to ensuring the quality nursing care required to reduce morbidity and mortality rates among neonates. Health policymakers should support nurses in pursuing educational opportunities aimed at enhancing their knowledge of advanced neonate care.