Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Retinopathy of Prematurity Among Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

It is important to study the awareness of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among neonatal care nurses in hospitals. Unfortunately, there is a lack of studies conducted among nurses on this subject in Palestine. Thus, this study purposed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward ROP among neonatal intensive care nurses in Palestine. A cross-sectional was used to conduct this study. A convenience sampling method was utilized to recruit 289 neonate intensive care nurses working in private and governmental hospitals. The findings showed that around 48.0% of the nurses had low knowledge about preventing ROP. Most of the nurses (78%) reported a neutral attitude toward preventing ROP. Moreover, overall nurses’ practices regarding ROP were fair (57.1%). There was a difference in practices regarding ROP according to the health sector ( P < .05), in which the private sector had better practices compared to the governmental sector. Additionally, there was a significant difference in knowledge regarding ROP according to educational level ( P < .05). Also, a significant difference was found in knowledge and practices regarding ROP according to nurses’ experience. Attitudes and practices were the main significant predictors of knowledge ( B = 0.153, P < .05; B = 0.172, P < .05, respectively). Knowledge and practices were the main predictors of attitudes ( B = 0.126, P < .05; B = 469, P < .001), respectively. Knowledge, attitudes, and experience in neonate intensive care nurses were the main significant predictors of practices ( B = 0.135, P < .05; B = 0.449, P < .001; B = 0.224, P < .05, respectively). It is necessary to develop an educational program and competency-based training programs for neonate intensive care nurses about ROP and implement preventive strategies.