KNOWLEDGE OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AMONG NURSES IN AN EMERGENCY UNIT OF A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study assessed knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among nurses in a tertiary health institution in Edo State, Nigeria. Three research questions and one hypothesis were raised to guide the study. It was a descriptive cross sectional study. The target population comprised of 56 nurses working in emergency units of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. A census sampling technique was adopted which involved adopting the entire population as sample. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The reliability coefficients of the instrument were .77, .89 and .86 for knowledge, factors and attitude respectively. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive (simple percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (ANOVA). Results showed that respondents had average knowledge (mean score 7.52 out of 12). Majority (71.4%) had average knowledge, while 28.6% had low knowledge, none recorded high knowledge. Good teamwork, idea on when to commence CPR and favourable hospital policy contributed positively to performance of CPR (mean 2.82), whereas anxiety, workload and legal implications of CPR contributed less to nurses performance of CPR. Nurses had positive attitude towards CPR. There was a significant difference between knowledge and years of working experience (p<0.05). The study concluded that nurses had average knowledge towards CPR. It recommended that nursing administrators should consider providing workplace supports in other to reduce anxiety nurses could be exposed to so as to ensure their effectiveness in CPR when the need arises, Nursing and Midwifery Council should endevour to advise government and policy-makers in the health sector to consider periodic review of medical and legal guidelines as it pertains to CPR.