Knowledge & Use of Braden Pressure Sore Prevention and Treatment Scale among Nurses in a Tertiary Institution, Edo State

Department of Nursing Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.

*Esewe, R. and Ogbebor, J. O.

Corresponding Author: roselynd.esewe@uniben.edu

Recieved Date: December, 2020; Accepted Date: December, 2020; Published Date: December, 2020

ABSTRACT

Background: Previous studies on pressure injury prevention were targeted at nursing students during their postings to health care facilities with few studies on registered nurses’ knowledge on the use of pressure injury prevention scales. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and use of the Braden pressure sore prevention scale among nurses in a tertiary health institution in Edo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study that included 48 nurses randomly selected from a tertiary health facility over a period of two months was employed. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the participants’ knowledge and use of the Braden pressure injury prevention scale and analyzed in frequency tables by SPPS (IBSM Version 21). Results: The overall knowledge and practice scores were 78.6% and 61.8%, respectively. The percentages of respondents who knew the Braden risk assessment scale was 24(50%). Fifteen (31 %.) believed that the use of risk assessment scales in daily practice in the ward is difficult. We therefore conclude that the current levels of knowledge and practice regarding the use of the Braden pressure injury prevention scale among the nurses who participated in our study were “moderate” and “low” respectively. Conclusion: The inculcation of pressure sore risk assessment scales into educational curriculum of training schools in order to improve its utilization is recommended, while nursing staff should be kept abreast on the use of this tool through update courses and seminars.