Assessment of Knowledge, Practices and Attitude Regarding Enteral Nutrition among ICU Nurses in Palestine رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Background: Enteral nutrition plays a crucial role in the care of critically ill patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). It is recognized as a medical therapy in law and has an ethical consideration. Proper knowledge, practices, and attitudes among ICU nurses are essential for the effective delivery of enteral nutrition. Aim: To assess the knowledge, practices and attitudes of enteral nutrition among ICU nurses in Palestine. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was conducted among 161 ICU nurses working in southern hospitals in Palestine. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the nurses' demographic information, knowledge of enteral nutrition guidelines, their practices in administering enteral nutrition, and their attitudes towards enteral nutrition. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA test, chi -square test and linear regression. Result: The study reveals that the mean knowledge score among ICU nurses regarding the subject matter was inadequate, with an average score of 10.3 out of 20. Specifically, only 29.2% of the nurses demonstrated a good level of knowledge, while a mere 1.9% exhibited an excellent level of understanding. Nurses have a positive attitude and their practices were consistent somewhat with the guideline. However, attitudinal aspects revealed a generally positive disposition toward enteral nutrition. There were no significant differences between the means of nurse’s knowledge level from private and governmental hospitals. Conclusion: This study highlights both strengths and areas requiring attention in the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of ICU nurses regarding enteral nutrition in southern hospitals in Palestine. The findings underscore the importance of continued education and training for nurses to ensure consistent and evidence-based care for critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition. Addressing these gaps in knowledge and practice can potentially improve patient outcomes and the quality of care provided in the ICU setting.