Knowledge and Practice Regarding Pressure Ulcer and its Prevention

Pressure ulcers are a common and painful health condition, particularly among people who are elderly or physically impaired. So the prevention of pressure ulcer begins with the assessment of the knowledge of nursing personnel who provides care, identifying the client at risk and to adapt certain preventive strategies to reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcer. The present study aimed to assess knowledge and practice of nurses regarding pressure ulcer and its prevention working in MTH, Pokhara.

The descriptive survey approach was adopted for the present study and conducted in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. The tools consist of demographic proforma, knowledge and practice questionnaire on pressure ulcer and its prevention. Data was collected by self administered structured using non – randomized purposive sampling technique. The data was analyzed using SPSS (16.0).

Majority of participant (96%), were of age group 20 –30years, (93%) represents SLC passed in level of education, (94%) represents PCL Nursing as professional level, and (84%)of them had working experience of 1 –5 yrs. majority of nurses had good knowledge i.e (87%), (12%) had average knowledge and only 1% had poor knowledge regarding prevention of pressure ulcer. majority of nurses had good practice i.e (71%), 27% had average practice whereas only 2% had poor practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer. Mean knowledge score is 81.25%. Mean practice score is 76.25%.

Majority of nurses had good knowledge and practice on pressure ulcer and its prevention. Yet pressure ulcers can impede patients’ return to full functioning and can add to the length of hospitalization. So, Hospital Authority should provide in-service education as well as continue education to enhance competence of nurses in clinical practice.