Authors : Justin Agorye Ingwu, Chinenye Ogbogu, Israel Egbechi Ogbonnaya, Hope Opara, Ngozi Omotola, Christianah Kotoye, Happiness Amarachi Nwaordu and Mathias Agba
Abstract: Globally, nurses are known to care for hospitalized patients and the presence or absence of pressure ulcers is being regarded as a performance measure of quality nursing care. The study aims to determine the knowledge and practice of caregivers towards pressure ulcer prevention for hospitalized patients in National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was adopted among eighty five (85) caregivers who met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. Ethical approval and informed consent of participants was obtained before data collection using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square statistical test was used to test for association between variables. Results revealed poor knowledge 67.3% of pressure ulcer prevention among caregivers. Risk assessment scale is not an appropriate method for assessing an individual who is at risk for pressure ulcer development 22.4%, inadequate staffing 95.3%, heavy workload 92.9% were highest perceived barriers to pressure ulcer prevention. The test of hypothesis showed that there is a significant relationship between years of service of caregivers and knowledge of pressure ulcer p = 0.000. It was concluded that in-service training, recruitment of more staff and ensuring availability of the necessary equipment are some of the important steps to improve nurse’s knowledge and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer among hospitalized patients.
Justin Agorye Ingwu, Chinenye Ogbogu, Israel Egbechi Ogbonnaya, Hope Opara, Ngozi Omotola, Christianah Kotoye, Happiness Amarachi Nwaordu and Mathias Agba, 2019. Caregiver’s Knowledge and Practice Towards Pressure Ulcer Prevention: A Cross Sectional Descriptive Study. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 13: 38-44.