ASSESSMENT OF NURSES KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES REGARDING PREVENTION OF DECUBITES ULCER (PRESSURE ULCER) IN MAYO HOSPITAL LAHORE ESPECIALLY IN ICUS AND MEDICAL WARDS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/jgxwd356Keywords:
Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Knowledge; Nurses; Nursing Care; Pressure Ulcer; Preventive Health ServicesAbstract
Background: Pressure ulcers are preventable yet remain a frequent complication among hospitalized and immobilized patients, particularly in intensive care units and medical wards. Their prevention depends on timely risk assessment, regular skin inspection, repositioning, nutritional support, pressure redistribution, documentation, and patient education. Nurses remain central to these preventive measures because of their continuous bedside role. Assessing their knowledge, attitude, and practices can identify gaps in care and guide targeted quality improvement strategies.
Objective: To assess nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices regarding decubitus ulcer prevention in ICUs and medical wards of Mayo Hospital Lahore.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 154 registered nurses working in ICUs and medical wards of Mayo Hospital Lahore. Participants were selected through a convenience sampling technique according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using an adopted structured self-administered questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices regarding pressure ulcer prevention. Completed questionnaires were checked for completeness and entered into SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to present frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and overall category levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice.
Results: Among 154 nurses, 136 (88.3%) were female and 18 (11.7%) were male. Most participants were aged 18–29 years, 72 (46.8%), followed by 30–44 years, 61 (39.6%). The mean professional experience was 12.51 ± 7.37 years. Overall, 140 (90.9%) nurses had poor knowledge, 14 (9.1%) had average knowledge, and none had good knowledge. Regarding attitude, 10 (6.5%) had poor attitude, 88 (57.1%) had average attitude, and 56 (36.4%) had good attitude. For preventive practices, 14 (9.1%) had poor practice, 82 (53.2%) had average practice, and 58 (37.7%) had good practice.
Conclusion: Nurses showed inadequate knowledge but generally acceptable attitudes and moderate preventive practices regarding pressure ulcer prevention. Regular training, standardized protocols, risk assessment tools, and clinical supervision are needed to improve evidence-based nursing care.
Keywords: Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Knowledge; Nurses; Nursing Care; Pressure Ulcer; Preventive Health Services
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Copyright (c) 2026 Humaira Sehar, Iram Hassan, Iram Zafar, Sana Shahid, Mariam Sachayar, Aroosa Babar, Aqsa Shahzadi , Ali Hamza, Razia Parveen (Author)
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