Knowledge attitudes and practices of intensive care nurses about incontinence-related dermatitis

ABSTRACT KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF INTENSIVE CARE NURSES ABOUT INCONTINENCE RELATED DERMATITIS Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a common skin problem in intensive care patients that negatively affects quality of life and predisposes patients to pressure ulcers; however, it is preventable. It is important for nurses to be knowledgeable about the proper assessment, prevention, and management of IAD and to provide care based on current, evidence-based practices. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of intensive care nurses regarding DI. The research was designed as a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study population consisted of 560 nurses working in the adult intensive care, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care units of Gaziantep City Hospital in Turkey. The study was conducted with 191 nurses who voluntarily agreed to participate and met the inclusion criteria. Institutional approval, ethical committee approval, and informed consent from the nurses were obtained for the conduct of the study. Data were collected using a nurse information form, an IAD knowledge test, and an IAD attitude assessment scale. Data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (F-test), post-hoc tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. For the validity of the questionnaires, the content validity index was used, while Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were applied for the attitude scale. According to the findings of the study, it was determined that nurses' knowledge levels and attitudes regarding IAD were at an approximately moderate level (23.80±3.21; 51.25±6.51). A statistically significant positive and weak relationship was found between IAD attitude and knowledge level (r=0.317; p=0.000). In the IAD knowledge test, nurses correctly answered the statement "The pH of skin cleansers should be close to normal skin pH" at the highest rate (94.8%). The lowest percentage (8.4%) correctly answered the statement "In IAD, a well-defined color change is observed on the skin." It was determined that nurses performed practices such as hygiene, use of skin barrier products, observation, isolation, wound care, incontinence and diaper care, and education within their prevention, treatment, and care practices. These findings indicate that nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding IAD are below the desired level and that this situation may have negative effects on the quality of clinical care. Considering that IAD is a preventable problem, there is a need for structured, evidence-based education programs and the widespread use of guideline-based practices to improve nurses' knowledge and attitudes. Keywords: Information; Incontinence; Incontinence associated dermatitis; Attitude; Intensive Care Nursing