Knowledge Questionnaire over Forensics Nursing Practices

Abstract

Problem Statement: The forensics nursing science combines the clinical approach to the person who is a victim of violence with the investigation related to the search of traces of that situation.Research Questions: What is the level of knowledge over forensics practices in nursing students?Purpose of the Study: Evaluate the level of knowledge over forensics practices of the nursing students; describe the relation of the social demographic, academical and training variables in forensics nursing with the level of knowledge.Research Methods: A descriptive study conducted with a convenience sample of 190 nursing students. 78.9% female, 49.5% with mean ages of 22.44. The content of the Knowledge Questionnaire over Forensics Nursing Practices – KQFNP Cunha & Libório was built based on the literature revision and submitted to the appreciation of an external judge, expert in the area.Findings: The majority of the students scored with good level of knowledge (40%). The knowledge of insufficient level occurred in 36.3% and the sufficient in 23.7%. There was a deficit of knowledge over: practical aspects of the traces preservation: use of paper bags; care of the aggressors; the possibility of glass and ink constitute forensics traces.Conclusions: The evidences found enhance the need of investment in the training of the students over the forensic nursing practices, particularly concerning the aspects in which reveal a knowledge deficit, enabling them to adopt good practices. This research began the psychometric study of the KQFNP, however, it is recommended the performance of other investigations in order to proceed the validation.