Pressure ulcer prevention in Ghana : What is the nurses´knowledge?

Abstract: Background Although Pressure ulcer is common in high and middle income countries it is rarely researched in low income countries. Evidence based interventions of pressure ulcer prevention are developed but the gap between the evidence and the clinical practice is wide. Aim Describe the nurses‟ knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention at a provincial hospital in Ghana. Design An empirical qualitative approached was used and semi-structured interviews were made with nurses at the Kwahu Governmental Hospital in Atibie, Ghana. A content analysis and a deductive content analysis were used to analyze the material. The evidence based interventions suggested by the North American Nurses Association (NANDA) was used as a theoretical framework. Result / Conclusion The themes Pressure ulcer prevention and Nurses‟ knowledge were found. Most of the evidence based interventions were mentioned by the participants. However, the participants explained massage as a preventive intervention although the evidence advice against massage. The participants did not mention any interventions considering documentation and nutrition. Further the nurses explained that they achieved their knowledge in school by practical demonstrations and examinations. The nurses‟ opinion was that their knowledge is enough to prevent pressure ulcers.