Nurses' Knowledge, attitudes and practice towards intra-hospital transportation management of the critically ill adult patients: in selected referral hospitals, Kigali- Rwanda.

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.