Assessment of Nurses' Knowledge Regarding Care of Patients with Nosocomial Hypoglycaemia at Kosti Teaching Hospital, 2021-2022
Eltagi Elsadeg Sulliman Rahama *
Faculty of Nursing, University of Elimam Elmahdi, Kosti, Sudan.
Mustafa Ahmed Alsheikh
MSN Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Elimam Elmahdi, Kosti, Sudan.
Mohamed Sharaf El Din Hajo
Faculty of Nursing, University of Elimam Elmahdi, Kosti, Sudan.
Marwa Omer Yagoub
Faculty of Nursing, University of Elimam Elmahdi, Kosti, Sudan.
Hafsa Abdel Baqui Abdullah
Faculty of Nursing, University of Elimam Elmahdi, Kosti, Sudan.
Hajer Hammad Mohammed
Faculty of Nursing, University of Elimam Elmahdi, Kosti, Sudan.
Aya Abdel Fattah Abdel Karim
MSN Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Elimam Elmahdi, Kosti, Sudan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Nosocomial hypoglycaemia is a serious problem in hospitals. This condition is defined as hypoglycaemia that occurs after 72 hours of hospital admission and may affect either diabetic or non-diabetic patients. It may result from inadequate nursing care plans, missed documentation, reduced caloric intake without appropriate adjustment of antihyperglycaemic medications, and various diseases and medications.
Objective: This study assessed nurses’ knowledge regarding the care of patients with nosocomial hypoglycaemia at Kosti Teaching Hospital.
Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted to assess nurses' knowledge regarding nosocomial hypoglycaemia. The study population comprised 35 nurses working at Kosti Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, coded, and entered into SPSS version 28 for analysis. The results were presented in tables and figures.
Results: Of the 35 nurses included in the study, 87.9% demonstrated excellent knowledge of the signs and symptoms of nosocomial hypoglycaemia. Additionally, 63.6% of respondents had good knowledge of the causes of nosocomial hypoglycaemia, whereas 39.3% demonstrated poor knowledge of common risk factors. No statistically significant association was found between gender and knowledge (p = 0.425), age and knowledge (p = 0.907), educational level and knowledge (p = 0.764), or years of experience and knowledge (p = 0.168).
Conclusion: The study revealed that nurses' knowledge regarding nosocomial hypoglycaemia at Kosti Teaching Hospital was generally good.
Recommendation: The researchers recommend that the Ministry of Health develop training programmes for nurses on the care of patients with nosocomial hypoglycaemia and raise nurses' awareness through workshops on this topic.
Keywords: Nurses, knowledge assessment, nosocomial hypoglycaemia, hospital-acquired hypoglycaemia, inpatient care, nursing management, blood glucose monitoring, hypoglycaemia prevention, Kosti Teaching Hospital