Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice in The Management of Childhood Malnutrition in Selected Health Centers in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: In Rwanda, malnutrition has a major impact on child morbidity and mortality. Studies have demonstrated that nurses frequently lack the expertise necessary to effectively address childhood malnutrition. To prevent and treat child malnutrition using the proper standards or protocols, nurses must have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitude, and practice. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess Nurses‘ knowledge and practice in management of childhood malnutrition in selected health centers in Rwanda. Methods: This study used a quantitative technique with a descriptive cross-sectional study design. 196 nurses from the twenty-four health institutions in Rwanda's Gicumbi District participated in the study. To gauge nurses' socio-demographic traits, as well as their knowledge and skills regarding the management of childhood malnutrition, a questionnaire was used. The complete sample was utilized. Data were examined to ensure that there were no errors using SPSS version 20.0. Analysis of the frequency distributions, means, and participation percentages was done using descriptive statistics. Age, gender, education level, and number of years spent practicing nursing are examples of descriptive categories. The link between demographic factors and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores was ascertained using inferential statistics, more especially the bivariate analysis using Chi-square. Results: The findings of the present study showed that in 196 nurse‘s participants, 93(48%) had high level of knowledge about malnutrition management because they passed with more than 75% marks, 34(17%) had low level of knowledge while 69(35%) had moderate level of knowledge. Results revealed that of 196 nurse‘s participants, 61% of them had high level of practice about malnutrition management as an acceptable level of practice was set at 75%, (13%) had low level of practice ,while (26%) had moderate level of practice. Most independent variables (socio-demographic characteristics) have showed a statistical relationship with dependent variables (level of knowledge).