Nurses' Knowledge and Performance Related to Care of Patients with Acute Respiratory Infections in Primary Health Care Centers | ||||
| Journal of High Institute of Public Health | ||||
| Article 6, Volume 36, Issue 2, April 2006, Page 405-418 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2006.158377 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
| Shadia F. Aboul Azm1; Latifa Al-Sowielem2 | ||||
| 1Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt | ||||
| 2Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Acute respiratory infections [ARI] are major cause of morbidity and mortality. The incidence and prevalence of all types of ARI is increasing at an alarming rate. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of nurses working in the primary health care centers in Al-khobar City in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia with regards to acute respiratory infections. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in three Primary Health Care Centers in Al-Khobar. The study sample included all patients admitted with ARIs [836 patients]. “A structured questionnaire sheet” was developed to assess the profile of patients attended the primary health care centers with acute respiratory infection and “An Assessment sheet” was developed to assess nurses’ knowledge and performance related to care of patients with respiratory infection according to the levels of preventions. Results: There is a lack of nurses knowledge related to care of patients with acute respiratory infections especially in areas of risk factors [33.1%], causative organisms [15.9%], mode of transmission of infection [31.7%], nursing management [41.5%], infection precaution measures [35.4%], and health education strategies [39%]. The results also revealed that poor nurses’ performance related to health education about cleaning and disinfecting solution used to prevent transmission of infection [40.2%], oral hygiene, covering mouth during cough and wearing mask [44%], discarded waste materials [15.9%], proper hand washing [39%], and breathing and coughing exercises [14.6%]. Conclusion & Recommendations: In spite of the high prevalence of acute respiratory infection among Saudi population, there was a lack of primary health nurses knowledge and practice related to care management and health education of patients with respiratory tract infection. Based on the results, it can be recommended that: Training of primary health nurses is crucial in relation to the standard protocols for management of ARIs. Provision of health education for the community regarding ARIs, methods of providing domiciliary health care, risk factors and proper time to seek medical assistance for treatment should be provided. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Nurses; Acute Respiratory Infections; Primary Health Care Centers | ||||
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