Hendy Abdelaziz, Osman Yasmine M, Alharbi Hanan F, Alshammari Maha Suwailem Shuaib, Al-Jabri Mohammed Musaed Ahmed, Alzahrani Naif S, Hendy Ahmed, Almarwani Abdulaziz Mofdy
Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
BMC Nurs. 2025 Jan 9;24(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02647-9.
In Egypt, approximately 10% of preterm deliveries occur between 32 and fewer than 37 weeks, leading to high neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions. Preterm infants often face oral feeding difficulties due to immature development, which can lead to extended hospital stays and increased health risks.
To assess neonatal nurses' performance in terms of the transition to oral feeding in preterm infants, focusing on knowledge, practices, and attitudes.
A descriptive, quantitative, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted across 16 hospitals in five governorates in Egypt from November 2023 to March 2024 involving 553 neonatal nurses. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire assessing knowledge and attitudes and through an observed checklist for nurses' practices. The study used statistical methods, including binary logistic regression, to analyze the data.
The findings revealed significant knowledge gaps among nurses, particularly in terms of oro-motor function, suck-swallow-breathe patterns, and nonnutritive sucking. A total of 64.6% of the nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge, 58.6% had unsatisfactory practices, and 45% had a negative attitude toward the oral feeding transition. Key predictors of satisfactory practices included higher education levels, full-time employment, and positive attitudes.
This study highlights critical gaps in neonatal nurses' knowledge and practices regarding the transition to oral feeding in preterm infants. Addressing these gaps through targeted educational interventions and ongoing support is essential for improving care quality and outcomes for infants. The findings revealed that a substantial proportion of nurses lacked adequate knowledge of critical areas, such as oro-motor function, the suck-swallow-breathe pattern, and nonnutritive sucking. These knowledge deficits could hinder the ability of nurses to provide optimal care during this crucial transition.
在埃及，约10%的早产发生在孕32至不足37周之间，这导致新生儿重症监护病房（NICU）的入院率很高。早产儿由于发育不成熟，常常面临经口喂养困难，这可能导致住院时间延长和健康风险增加。
评估新生儿护士在早产儿经口喂养过渡方面的表现，重点关注知识、实践和态度。
2023年11月至2024年3月，在埃及五个省的16家医院开展了一项描述性、定量、多中心横断面研究，涉及553名新生儿护士。通过一份评估知识和态度的自填式问卷以及一份护士实践观察清单收集数据。该研究使用了包括二元逻辑回归在内的统计方法来分析数据。
研究结果显示护士之间存在显著的知识差距，尤其是在口面运动功能、吸吮-吞咽-呼吸模式和非营养性吸吮方面。共有64.6%的护士知识水平不达标，58.6%的护士实践水平不达标，45%的护士对经口喂养过渡持消极态度。实践水平达标的关键预测因素包括较高的教育水平、全职工作和积极的态度。
本研究突出了新生儿护士在早产儿经口喂养过渡方面的知识和实践中的关键差距。通过有针对性的教育干预和持续支持来弥补这些差距，对于提高婴儿护理质量和结局至关重要。研究结果表明，很大一部分护士对诸如口面运动功能、吸吮-吞咽-呼吸模式和非营养性吸吮等关键领域缺乏足够的知识。这些知识缺陷可能会阻碍护士在这一关键过渡阶段提供最佳护理的能力。
