Abstract:
Background: Intra hospital transportation (IHT) of critically ill adult patients is necessary
when diagnostic examinations are not possible to be performed at the patients' bedside and
also when critically ill patients have to be transferred from different departments to intensive
care unit and vice versa. Intra hospital transportation is to be done in order that patients get
the right services with specialized medical personnel and sophisticated equipment.
Aim of the study: To assess KAP towards intra-hospital transportation management among
nurses working in two selected referral hospitals Kigali- Rwanda.
Methodology: The data were collected at Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH) and Kigali
University Teaching Hospital (KUTH). Descriptive cross sectional design was used to meet
the objectives of the study. A sample size of 124 of respondents was selected using Yamane
formula at confidence level of 95% and margin error of 5%. Relationships between variables
were analysed using a chi-square test. Ethical standards were assured throughout the research.
Results: The majority of the participants were males 75(60%), 119(96%) had been involved
in IHT, while only 59(48%) were trained in critical care. The great number 112 (90,3%) of
participants scored a moderate level of knowledge, while only 8(6.5%) of nurses were
classified in the high level of knowledge category and the minority 4(3.2%) had low level of
knowlwdge. Self reported attitude of participants was negative 66(53.2%) while 58(46.8%) of
the participants had positive attitude. On observed practice only 5(25%) paricipants had
medium level, and 15(75%) obtained low level of practice. Surprisingly none of participants
had high level of practice scores. The relationship between knowledge and attitude scores has
shown a strong correlation ( R2
= 1.00, P-value = 0.012), and the education level to be
associated with knowledge scores at p-value of 0.009.
Conclusion and recommendations: The present study reported moderate level of
knowledge, negative attitude and low level of practice of nurses towards intrahospital
transportation management of critically ill patients. Therefore, interventions targeting
boosting knowledge, attitudes and practice are recommended. It is also recommended for
further research to conduct the same study on the other referral hospitals.
