Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among caregivers towards pressure ulcer in spinal cord injury patients at rehabilitation center in Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: The life expectancy of persons with SCI in Bangladesh who were discharged after rehabilitation, 56.4% of them died within 5 years whereas only 16.4% survived beyond 10 years. The People with SCI are at higher risk of PU throughout their lifetime due to their immobility that hinders the rehabilitation and community integration also, results in increased utilization of the health care system by people with SCI. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice among caregivers regarding prevention and care of pressure ulcer in SCI patients. Method: The study design was cross-sectional and the participants were the caregivers of SCI patients at CRP, Savar, Dhaka. The study sample selected by convenient sampling procedure. The researcher used modified semi-structured questionnaire for data collection with face to face interview. Result: The study showed that caregivers had a moderate level of knowledge (M = 73.68%, SD = 6.43), neutral level of attitude (M = 70.32%, SD = 6.89), and moderate level of practice (M = 74.77%, SD = 9.08). There was a positive significant relationship between caregivers’ knowledge and attitude (r = 0.30, p < 0.01), and between knowledge and practice (r= 0.37, p < 0.01). However, no correlation existed between caregivers attitude and practice (r= 0.12, p > 0.10) regarding prevention and care of pressure ulcer. Conclusion: The caregivers had insufficient information and were unaware about prevention and care of pressure ulcer. Having higher qualifications showed more positive attitude compared to lower qualifications or having no formal education. Mostly, the wife or mother of the patients were caregivers, and majority of them showed neutral attitude. These findings suggest that caregivers need to develop positive attitude and increase their knowledge of prevention and care of pressure ulcer in order to improve practice. Key words: Pressure ulcer, caregiver, spinal cord injury, knowledge, attitude, practice