Nurses' knowledge and attitudes about enteral feeding complications by nasogastric tube in intensive care units

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the knowledge and attitudes concerning enteral feeding difficulties by nasogastric tube and demographic variables and to evaluate nurses' knowledge and attitudes about these complications. Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the teaching hospitals in Al-Basrah City; Al-Basrah Teaching Hospital, Al-Mawani Teaching Hospital, Al-Faiha Teaching Hospital, and Al-Sadder Teaching Hospital from October 25, 2022, to February 15, 2023. One hundred fifty nurses were enrolled using purposeful (non-probability) technique. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Majority of nurses (63.3%) had little to no understanding about nasogastric tube complications, while just 26.7% and 10% had moderate or good knowledge, respectively. The majority of nurses (74%) had negative attitudes toward nasogastric tube problems, followed by nurses with moderate attitudes (11.3%) and positive attitudes (14.7%). Conclusion: Nurses had inadequate attitudes and knowledge regarding nasogastric tube complications associated with enteral feeding.