This study explored the knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian nurses toward patients with HIV/AIDS, particularly in regards to their sources of information and education. This survey utilized a cross-sectional design. A self-administered questionnaire developed by Eckstein was used in collecting the data. A total of 922 nurses completed the questionnaire. Overall, Jordanian nurses expressed negative attitudes toward patients with HIV/AIDS, and their level of HIV/AIDS knowledge was weak. Weak knowledge level was recorded among nurses in the following subsections: agent and immunology; course and manifestation; transmission and incidence; and precaution and prevention. Only in one subsection (risk group), did nurses show a good level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. More than two-thirds of nurses (84%) refused to provide care to patients who tested positive for HIV/AIDS. Most of the nurse participants believed that currently provided HIV/AIDS information resources were inadequate (81.4 %). The majority of nurses were interested in support groups for staff nurses (96.5%). The major source of HIV/AIDS information obtained by Jordanian nurses was through Internet web sites (52.7%). The majority of nurses (96.2%) ranked their fear of getting AIDS from their nursing practice as overwhelming. The total attitude of participants towards patients with HIV/AIDS in all five subsections (i.e., fear of contagion, social stigma, fatal outcome of the disease, direct care, and education and counseling) was negative (84.3%). Accurate knowledge about HIV/AIDS along with an in-depth understanding of patients? needs can help alleviate much of the fear, anxiety, and stigma associated with caring for patients with HIV/AIDS.
Hospital and nursing administrators should be actively involved in educational programmes and in assuring support for continuing education. Protocol for ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention should be developed based on current evidence-based guidelines.
Online instruction offers a consistent and effective method to include Standard Precautions into nursing education. Organizations that oversee nursing in Jordan have the option to strengthen all nursing curricula by mandating a standardized infection control curricula across all schools of nursing.
Mobile phone text messaging is an economical, feasible, and effective method for educators to improve diabetic self-care, even in a developing country.
Background
Medical device‐related pressure ulcers are increasingly common in critical care units. These ulcers can be complicated due to the necessity of the device for diagnosis or treatment.
Purpose
To determine the prevalence of and risk for medical device‐related pressure ulcers in critical care units in Jordan in addition to identifying the preventive measures for those ulcers as well as identifying the most frequently used medical devices that cause ulcers and to assess the relationships between prevention measures and developing ulcers.
Methods
A cross‐sectional survey was used to assess ulcers among 318 patients who were elder than 18 years old. Data collection was based on an outline published by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, Braden Scale, and an author‐developed specific checklist.
Results
The prevalence rate of medical device‐related pressure ulcers was 38.1%. Most affected sites were sacrum and heel, and most affected were those with old age, being admitted to public hospitals, and with a prolonged hospital stay. About half of the patients (46.3%) had severe risk. Only 17% of the patients who were at risk got adequate preventive measures. Face masks, endotracheal tubes, pulse oximetry probes, and intravenous catheters were associated with almost half of the ulcers.
Conclusion
Medical device‐related pressure ulcers are threats to patient safety and quality of nursing care in hospitals, which require determining appropriate preventive measures. Key messages:
Medical device‐related pressure ulcers are common among patients in critical care units, which raise the need to evaluate the prevalence of such type of ulcers in those patients.
Three hundred and eighteen patients were investigated for the prevalence of medical device‐related pressure ulcers through a cross‐sectional survey.
Patients in critical care units in Jordan had a high prevalence rate for medical device‐related pressure ulcers, which require the need to apply appropriate preventive measures.
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