Enhancing Nurse's Knowledge- A Programme on Prevention of Neonatal Hypothermia

Abstract

Introduction: Newborns are less efficient in regulating their body temperature due to poor their heat-regulating mechanisms. Thermal stability of the neonate is crucial, and awareness of the significance of a warm environment has resulted in better care of the neonate. Objective: The study aimed to determine the efficacy of a structured teaching programme regarding the prevention of neonatal hypothermia among nurses. Material and Methods: A pre-experimental, (one-group pre-test and post-test) research design was conducted in the Government Multispeciality Hospital, Chandigarh, India. Sixty nurses were chosen through the non-probability purposive sampling technique. The instrument employed for the study includes demographic variables and a self-structured knowledge questionnaire. Results: The pre-test degree of knowledge regarding the prevention of neonatal hypothermia among 60 nurses shows that 58.3% had fair knowledge and 41.7% had good knowledge. The post-test knowledge scores showed that out % of 60 nurses, 75% possessed very good knowledge, while 25% had good knowledge. The comparison of both tests' knowledge scores using the Wilcoxon rank test resulted in a p-value = <0.001, which indicates that the result is highly significant. Furthermore, the chi-square test was applied to find out whether or not there was a statistical association between the knowledge scores and their demographic variables. It was determined that the p-value for both the knowledge scores was found to be greater than 0.05 which is insignificant. Hence, there is no association found between both sets of knowledge scores with their demographic variables. Conclusion: The structured teaching programme culminated in enhancing knowledge among nurses regarding preventing neonatal hypothermia.