Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses on dysphagia screening and oral care in acute stroke patients

Acute stroke commonly causes dysphagia, which can delay recovery and worsen nutrition. Nurses detect and treat dysphagia and maintain oral hygiene, but their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) vary.

This study aimed to assess nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dysphagia screening and oral care among stroke patients and to identify factors associated with good attitudes and practices.

Cross-sectional research comprised 650 tertiary stroke and neurology nurses. Data were collected using a validated self-administered dysphagia screening and oral care knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multivariate logistic regression.

Overall, nurses demonstrated good knowledge (mean score = 15.6 ± 3.1), positive attitudes (77.4 ± 9.8), and moderate-to-good practices (73.2 ± 10.5) toward dysphagia management. Though documentation, caregiver education, and formal training were lacking, routine screening and oral care were strongly supported. Knowledge, attitude, and practice showed significant positive associations (r = 0.46-0.57, p < 0.001). Higher qualifications, career experience, stroke unit experience, dysphagia training, and knowledge were significantly associated with more positive attitudes and practices (p < 0.05).

Nurses were knowledgeable and supportive of dysphagia screening and oral care, but inadequate training and institutional support were associated with practical challenges. Improving nursing competency and stroke may benefit from in-service education, standardized screening techniques, and interprofessional teamwork.