Knowledge and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer among staff nurses in selected hospital, Gangtok, East Sikkim

Abstract

Pressure ulcers (pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, bedsores, and pressure injuries) are localized damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually occur over a bony prominence as a result of pressure or pressure in combination with shear and/or friction. The aim of the present study was to assess knowledge and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer of staff nurses. A descriptive research design was conducted in Hospitals, Gangtok, East Sikkim among of 136 staff nurses. Standardized tool Pieper-Zulkowski PUKT (Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test), and observational checklist for practice were administered. The study revealed that 86(55%) had average knowledge, 44(28%) staff nurses had good knowledge and 6(4%) staff nurses had poor knowledge and also majority i.e. 110(71%) staff nurses had good practice and 26(17%) had poor practice regarding. Study also found that there was moderately positive correlation between knowledge and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer (r= 0.79) and there was an association between knowledge with year of experience (χ 2 =15.50, df=8) and practice with area of posting (χ 2 = 0.00, df= 6). The study showed that there is still much scope for improving their knowledge especially in area of wound description.