Milutinović Dragana, Novković Joldić Mira, Simin Dragana, Živković Dragana
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Dec 3;12(23):2425. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12232425.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition among older adults, particularly in nursing home residents. Furthermore, it is associated with significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Effective management of UI depends on the knowledge and practices of nursing professionals, who are responsible for fundamental care. However, their knowledge and practice gaps remain challenging. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of nursing professional regarding urinary incontinence, to explore whether there are differences in knowledge and practice concerning their sociodemographic characteristics and to determine if there is a correlation between knowledge and practice regarding UI.
A multicentre descriptive, cross-sectional study design following STROBE guidelines was conducted. The sample comprised 171 participants, and as research instruments, the Urinary Incontinence Quiz (UIQ) and the Urinary Knowledge and Practice Instrument (UKPI) were used.
The overall knowledge of nursing professionals about UI in older people was suboptimal, but most were familiar with the causes of UI, and that toilet training can improve incontinence. Nursing professionals with continuing education or interest in learning more about UI demonstrated significantly higher knowledge levels. Practice scores revealed that continence care interventions were often implemented, but documentation and support practices such as comprehensive toileting plans were less frequently performed. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and practice.
The study highlights substantial knowledge and practice gaps in UI management among nursing professionals in Serbia. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve UI care.
背景/目的：尿失禁（UI）在老年人中普遍存在，尤其是在养老院居民中。此外，它还伴随着重大的身体、情感和经济负担。尿失禁的有效管理取决于护理专业人员的知识和实践，他们负责基础护理。然而，他们的知识和实践差距仍然具有挑战性。因此，本研究旨在评估护理专业人员关于尿失禁的知识和实践，探讨其知识和实践在社会人口学特征方面是否存在差异，并确定尿失禁知识与实践之间是否存在相关性。
按照STROBE指南进行了一项多中心描述性横断面研究设计。样本包括171名参与者，使用尿失禁测验（UIQ）和泌尿知识与实践工具（UKPI）作为研究工具。
护理专业人员对老年人尿失禁的总体知识水平欠佳，但大多数人熟悉尿失禁的原因，以及如厕训练可以改善失禁情况。接受过继续教育或有兴趣了解更多尿失禁知识的护理专业人员表现出明显更高的知识水平。实践得分显示，失禁护理干预措施经常实施，但诸如全面如厕计划等记录和支持措施执行得较少。知识与实践之间存在微弱但显著的正相关。
该研究突出了塞尔维亚护理专业人员在尿失禁管理方面存在的大量知识和实践差距。研究结果强调需要有针对性的教育干预措施来改善尿失禁护理。
