Background
Oxygen is the essential WHO-approved therapy commonly used in health facilities, that requires appropriate administration according to its indication. Incorrect usage and inadequate practices of oxygen therapy may lead to complications associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Critically ill patients often need and receive supplemental oxygen, and both inadequate and excessive oxygen administration can be detrimental to their health outcomes. Nurses are key health professionals who play a big role in the administration of oxygen to critically ill individuals. Yet, little is known regarding factors that influence the administration of oxygen therapy to critically ill patients among nurses. This study aimed to assess factors influencing nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding oxygen administration to critically ill patients at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar es Salaam – Tanzania.
Material and Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 nurses through the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Respondents were recruited using a simple random sampling method and data was analyzed with the aid of the 23rd version of SPSS software. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors influencing oxygen administration to critically ill patients. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to determine significant relationships.
Result
Of the 208 respondents, 120(57.7%) were female, 144(69.2%) were in the age group of 20–40, and 175(84.1%) worked in the wards. Among respondents, 96(46.2%) and 78(37.5%) had poor knowledge and practices regarding oxygen administration, respectively. Higher professional education (AOR: 1.948; CI: 1.060, 3.579; p = 0.032), shorter work experience (AOR: 2.442; CI: 1.101, 5.419; p = 0.028), and receiving in-service training on oxygen administration (AOR: 3.515; CI: 1.922, 6.428; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with good knowledge on oxygen administration. None of the sociodemographic and organizational factors were associated with practices on oxygen administration.
Conclusion
A substantial number of nurses had poor knowledge and practices regarding oxygen administration. On-job training and encouraging nurses to pursue higher professional education may be useful in improving nurses' knowledge of oxygen administration. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between length of work experience and knowledge of oxygen administration.
