Knowledge and Practice of Intensive Care Nurses Towards Weaning Criteria From Mechanical Ventilation at Public Hospitals in Sana'a City-Yemen

Abstract

Background of the study: Weaning from MV is the process of gradually withdrawing artificial ventilation to the intubated patients for short or long time in critical care setting. Aims: to assess the knowledge and practices of ICU nurses regarding the weaning criteria from the ventilator in public hospitals in Sana'a City– Yemen. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at a public hospitals in Sana’a City-Yemen among ICU nurses. The sample size was 93 Yemeni nurses. A stratified random sampling was applied. Data were collected by using a close-ended questionnaire to testing knowledge and observational checklist to testing nurses practice. A pilot study was conducted and validity and reliability of the questionnaire was also tested. The data were analyzed using SPSS and measured using frequency and percent for categorical variables and Means and SD for quantitative variable. t-test was used to determine the differences between two variables and one-way ANOVA determine the differences between more than two variables. Chi-squaire test was used to determine the relationship between variables. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The results showed that (54%) of the nurses had correct knowledge toward WC from MV whereas (46%) of them had incorrect knowledge. While (39%) of nurses had poor knowledge, and (50%) of them had moderate knowledge and (11%) of them had good knowledge, While (46%) of the nurses were correctly practiced to WC from MV, whereas (44%) of them were not done and (10%) need correctly practiced. As regards to level of practice, (49%) had poor practice, (36%) had a moderate practice and (15%) had a good practice. There was no significant differences in the mean knowledge scores toward WC by demographic characteristics of nurses (P>0.05). A significant differences in the mean knowledge scores toward WC according to diploma degree in respiratory therapy was found (P<0.05) but not for course training in WC and courses training in ICU (P>0.05).  A statistically significant differences was found in mean practice scores toward WC from MV by demographic characteristics of nurses (P<0.05) but not for sex (P>0.05). A statistically significant differences was found in mean practice scores toward WC from MV by diploma degree in respiratory therapy, course training in WC and courses training in ICU (P< 0.05). Conclusion: This study conclude that (50%) of the nurses had moderate knowledge toward WC from MV and (36%) of them had moderate practice, This study recommended increasing knowledge and practice of ICU nurses through the courses training and implementation WC and protocol weaning in all ICU units.