Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Evidence-based Guidelines among Nursing Students at Jazan
Khalid O Alyahyawi1, Fatmah O Alshekh1, Abdullah Y Madkhali1
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Nursing students in Saudi Arabia demonstrated poor knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer (PU) prevention. Despite this, their average knowledge of PU prevention methods was noted, with no significant association with age or training experience.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare
- Nursing Education
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Pressure ulcers (PUs) pose a significant global health challenge, increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
- Critically ill patients are particularly vulnerable to PU development.
- High PU prevalence in Saudi Arabia necessitates enhanced prevention strategies, emphasizing the critical role of nurses' knowledge and attitudes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students concerning evidence-based guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention.
- To identify potential gaps in understanding PU etiology and preventive measures among future healthcare professionals.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing students at Jazan University.
- Data were collected via an electronic questionnaire.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.
Main Results:
- Out of 378 participants, 96.6% exhibited poor knowledge of PUs.
- Fewer than 20% correctly identified the cause of PUs or optimal repositioning frequency.
- While over 50% recognized weight loss as a risk factor, knowledge of specific preventive measures like pressure reduction techniques was limited.
Conclusions:
- Nursing students at Jazan University displayed inadequate general knowledge and attitudes toward pressure ulcers.
- A need exists to improve educational interventions on PU prevention for nursing students.
- Knowledge regarding PUs was not significantly correlated with participants' age or training experience.
Background:
Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common global problem. They affect health-care costs and patient health because of increased morbidity and mortality rates. Critically ill patients are more prone to acquiring PUs than other patients. As the prevalence of PUs is high in Saudi Arabia, more attention is required for PU prevention. Nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward PU prevention are crucial.
Aims:
This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students regarding PU prevention evidence-based guidelines.
Setting And Design:
This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing students at Jazan University.
Materials And Methods:
Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Data were entered, coded, and analyzed using the SPSS version 23.
Results:
A total of 378 participants were included. The mean age was 22.4 ± 3.4 years, and the mean knowledge score was 7.6 ± 2.64 (range = 0-16). Of the participants, 365 (96.6%) and 13 (3.4%) were considered to have poor and good knowledge about PUs, respectively. Only 72 (19%) correctly identified a lack of oxygen as the cause of PUs; other participants answered malnutrition and moisture. Conversely, 200 (52.9%) participants indicated that recent weight loss below patients' ideal weight increases the risk for PUs. Concerning knowledge about preventive measures, 64 (16.9%) participants correctly answered that a backward sitting position, with both legs resting on a footrest, can reduce the amount of pressure. Meanwhile, 169 (44.7%) participants correctly selected thick air cushion as a means to reduce the magnitude of pressure when patients are sliding down on a chair. Some participants answered that PUs can be reduced if patients are mobilized. Seventy-two (19%) participants indicated that patients laying on a visco-elastic foam mattress should be repositioned every 2 h to reduce the duration of pressure. Age, year of education, training experience, and department were not significantly associated with knowledge about PUs (P = 0.333, P = 0.370, P = 0.700, and P = 0.810, respectively).
Conclusions:
The general knowledge and attitudes toward PUs of the nursing students at Jazan University were poor. Nevertheless, they had an average knowledge level regarding PU prevention. Age and training experience were not significantly associated with knowledge about PUs.
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