Relationships between Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Delirium Care Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses
Keywords:
Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Delirium, Intensive Care UnitAbstract
This descriptive research aimed to examine the relationships among knowledge, attitudes, and nursing practices related to the care of patients with delirium among nurses in intensive care units. The conceptual framework was based on the interrelationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. A purposive sample of 120 registered nurses working in critical care units at a tertiary care hospital under the Ministry of Defense was selected. Data were collected using four questionnaires: demographic information, a knowledge assessment, an attitude assessment, and a nursing practice assessment. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for analysis. The results revealed that intensive care nurses demonstrated a high level of knowledge, positive attitudes, and adherence to high standards of nursing practices in delirium care. A weak positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitudes (r = .226, p < .05). A moderate positive correlation was identified between knowledge and nursing practices (r = .381, p < .01), as well as between attitudes and nursing practices (r = .473, p < .01).
These findings highlight the interconnection of nursing knowledge, attitudes, and practices, suggesting that enhancing both knowledge and attitudes may lead to improved patient care for those with delirium. The findings could be used to prepare nursing management strategies to enhance nurses’ clinical competencies and outcomes of patients with delirium in intensive care settings.
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