Effectiveness of Cognitive Edi cation Programme on Knowledge and Reported Practice of Early Ambulation among Nursing Students in a Selected Nursing Institute

Abstract

Early ambulation has a vital role in post-operative management. It helps the patient relieve pain, improve healing process and strengthen the muscles; it also improves the patient’s self-esteem and the feeling of independence. The practice of early ambulation in post-operative patients depends on the awareness of the nursing students and staff. In this study to nd the effectiveness of early ambulation cognitive edi cation programme, true experimental research pre-test and post-test control group design was used. The sample consisted of 99 rst-year nursing students, selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected by administering a structured knowledge questionnaire and reported practice checklist on early ambulation. The pre-test was done to control and experimental group, after 7 days post-test was done to control group with the same tool, cognitive edi cation programme was given to the experimental group, and on 7th day post-test was conducted to experimental group with the same tool. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (‘t’ test). The mean difference in the level of knowledge among nursing students before and after the cognitive edi cation programme on early ambulation in experimental group was 1.816. It is evident that the calculated t value was more than the table value in the experimental group and the p value is < 0.001. Hence there is a difference in the level of knowledge among nursing students before and after the cognitive edi - cation programme. The mean difference in the reported practice among nursing students before and after the cognitive edi cation programme on early ambulation in experimental group was 2.898. It is evident that the calculated t value was more than the table value in the experimental group (p < 0.001). Hence there is a difference in the reported practice among nursing students before and after the cognitive edi cation programme. Majority of the nursing students had poor knowledge of early ambulation before the cognitive edi cation programme. The post-test knowledge and reported practice score of the experimental group showed a signi cant increase in the knowledge and reported practice of nursing students. Hence the cognitive edi cation programme is an effective strategy for providing knowledge and practice.