KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ON PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION AMONG NURSES WORKING IN NEUROLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS OF PESHAWAR: A MULTICENTER STUDY

AIM: The aim of the current study was to assess (a) how much nurses employed in tertiary care hospital know about the preventive measures. (b) Whether there is a liaison of knowledge and attitude existing among nurses working in neurology unit of tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. (c) To assess factors influencing performance of nurses in termsof prevention of pressure ulcer in patients at risk in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses employed in tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar. “Pressure ulcer baseline assessment tool” developed by Iowa Health Des Moines was used to assess their knowledge and attitude. For the attitude assessment previously tested tool, used by Moor and Price, was used. Data was analyzed by using SPSS and MS excel.RESULTS: Out of 52 nurses, 06% male and 94% female with a mean age of 26.7 ± 5.15 years (ranged 19 – 40 years) were recruited in the study. The average score of knowledge was 28.35 ± 6.01 (total score = 47). Results revealed that 30.77% of the nurses had good knowledge i.e. (70-84%), while no single score was falling in outstanding and excellent category. About 25% had average knowledge i.e. (60-69 %) and 17.31% falls in minimal acceptable range (50-59 score) while 25 had poor knowledge (<50 score). A positive attitude was shown by majority of the nurses and they were of the view that most pressure ulcers can be avoided.CONCLUSION: It is apparent that, availability of proper guidelines and policies about pressure ulcer prevention can lead to high level of awareness among nurses and thus to an increased attentiveness in daily nursing practice, however update knowledge and positive attitude are the key indicators for quality health care and pressure ulcer prevention. Inadequate knowledge and attitude of nurses working in neurology units of tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar was because of lack of formal training, motivation and proper supervision.