CLINICAL NURSES' KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF MODERN WOUND DRESSING IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NIGERIA

The use of modern wound dressing (MWD) techniques has been found to promote wound healing faster than traditional wound dressing techniques. This study was conducted to assess clinical nurses' knowledge and perception of MWD, and to identify the influence of knowledge on the perception of the nurses as well as the influence of socio-demographic variables on their knowledge. The perceived factors of nurses that hinder the implementation of MWD in the study setting were also identified. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. Data were collected from 183 nurses, using a self-developed questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha of 0.85. Results showed that a high percentage had poor knowledge (60.1%) and a positive perception of MWD (80.9%). The knowledge of the nurses did not influence their perception significantly-none of the socio-demographic variables tested significantly influenced their knowledge (p = 0.05). The factor most commonly reported as hindering the implementation of MWD techniques was ` non-availability of MWD materials' (34.3%). It is recommended that hospital managers organise intensive training programmes for clinical nurses as an ongoing component of the staff development processes to improve their knowledge of MWD. There should also be an adequate supply of MWD materials for the effective implementation of MWD techniques and the improved health of patients.