Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Evidence-based Guidelines among Nursing Students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.

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.