ASSESSMENT OF NURSES KNOWLEDGE REGARDING MENINGITIS IN A TERTIARY CARE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF LAHORE

Abstract

Background: Meningitis remains a life-threatening infection causing inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord, posing a significant burden in pediatric care settings. Nurses, being the first point of contact, play a critical role in early detection, implementation of infection control practices, and appropriate patient management. Ensuring that nurses possess adequate knowledge is vital for reducing complications, improving outcomes, and minimizing the risk of nosocomial transmission.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge among nurses regarding meningitis and to identify educational gaps to inform targeted interventions for improved nursing competence and infection control practices.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over four months at a tertiary care children’s hospital in Lahore. A total of 285 nurses from pediatric wards, emergency units, and intensive care units were selected through simple random sampling. Inclusion required at least six months of pediatric care experience. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire comprising 12 knowledge-based items. Demographic and knowledge data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, means, and standard deviation were used to categorize knowledge levels into poor (1–4), fair (5–8), and good (9–12).

Results: Among the 285 participants, 162 (56.8%) were under 30 years of age, and 249 (87.4%) were female. Educational qualifications included Diploma in Nursing (39.6%), Midwifery (17.2%), BSN (37.5%), and MSN (5.6%). Knowledge levels revealed that 59 nurses (20.7%) had poor knowledge, 132 (46.3%) had fair knowledge, and 94 (33.0%) had good knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 2.12 ± 0.724, indicating moderate variability across the cohort.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that although a foundation of meningitis-related knowledge exists among nurses, significant gaps remain, particularly in infection control and clinical decision-making. Structured educational programs, workshops, and hands-on clinical training are strongly recommended to enhance nurses' competencies and elevate the quality of pediatric care.