Knowledge and Practice of Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Factors Influencing Practice Among Nurses in Neurosurgery Units in Benin City, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pressure Ulcer Prevention by Neurosurgical Nurses in Benin City

Abstract

Background: Patients in neurosurgery units are at high risk of pressure ulcers because of paralysis, impaired consciousness and prolonged immobility. Prevention depends largely on nurses, but evidence on neurosurgical nurses’ knowledge and practice of prevention in Nigeria is limited.

Aim/Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of pressure ulcer prevention, and the factors influencing practice, among nurses in neurosurgery units in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey included all 218 nurses in the neurosurgery units of four hospitals: the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo Specialist Hospital, National Orthopaedic Hospital and Mount Gilead Hospital. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (p < .05).

Results: Of 205 respondents (94.0%), 65.9% had good knowledge, 26.8% moderate and 7.3% poor. Knowledge was weakest on methods of reducing pressure on vulnerable areas (70.2% correct). Overall, 57.1% had high practice, 29.8% moderate and 13.2% low. Only 27.3% always used pressure-relieving support surfaces, 10.7% always reported poor nutritional intake, and 31.2% never avoided massaging reddened skin. Nurses widely endorsed heavy workload, inadequate staffing and the needs of patients with impaired consciousness as influences on practice. Good knowledge was associated with high practice (p < .001), but practice did not differ significantly by age, qualification, rank or experience.

Conclusion: Most neurosurgical nurses had good knowledge, but practice gaps remained in pressure redistribution, nutrition and avoidance of skin massage. Regular training, support surfaces and adequate staffing are recommended.