Poisoning is a major health problem worldwide, and it causes significant morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that 350,000 people died worldwide from unintentional poisoning. The purpose of this study is to assess nurses’ knowledge and practice on the initial management of acute poisoning among nurses in Dessie referral hospital, Amhara region, Ethiopia.
Methods
Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to June 2018. Simple Random sampling technique was used to select the samples. Data was collected by using self-administered structured questioners. Data were cleansed, checked for completeness and entered into SPSS version 20 for analyses. Statistical measures of Central tendency, T-test and ANOVA were used in determining the association between independent and dependent variables.
Results
Based on the given 13 items to assess the general knowledge of nurses on poisoning, the score ranges from 2 to 9 with the range of 7 with the mean score of 7.48(SD-0. 0.839) for the entire respondents that was 57.5% for the given items that was less than 75% which was unsatisfactory level of knowledge. The mean score of general knowledge on poisoning was high among nurses who had training on initial management of poisoning than those nurses who had not the training.
Conclusion and recommendation
All Dessie referral nurses that participated in this study had unsatisfactory general knowledge on poisoning, knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning and self-reported practice. The major implication of these study findings on the health system is the importance of ensuring support to nurses’ health care services for early detection and management of poisoning.
Hinweise
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Abkürzungen
ABC
Air way Breathing and Circulation
BSC
Bachelor of Science
ECCN
Emergency and critical care nursing
ED
Emergency Department
GCS
Glasgow Coma Scale
KAP
Knowledge attitude and practice
MSC
Master of Science
WHO
world health organization
Introduction
Poison may be defined as any substance that can harm, kill by producing general or local destruction in the body [1‐3]. It happens by the absorption of substances into the body to causing damage to the body cells [4, 5].
Poisoning is a major health problem worldwide [3, 6]. There are more than three million poisonings with 251,881 deaths occurring worldwide annually and 99% of the death occurs in developing countries [6]. In developed countries, acute poisoning is the leading cause for a visit to the emergency department among patients aged 2 to 30 years whereas, in developing countries, it is the second most common cause following infectious disease [7‐9]. Death is higher in developing countries due to acute poisoning [10].
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As WHO report, of all case deaths due to acute poisoning, Africa accounts 8% and Kenya 3.13% in 2015 [11]. According to a study in Ethiopia that revealed the highest proportion of poisonings happened in adults in which fatality rate was from 2.4–8.6% [12].
Acute drug poisonings account for nearly half of all poisonings reported [13‐15]. Half a million people die annually due to poisoning [16]. WHO reported that acute poising is accounted 0.5% of intentional and unintentional injuries in Ethiopia, in 2012 [17‐21]. Emergency department’s (ED) nurses should be equipped with the professional knowledge and skills to enable them to deal with a poisoned patient, and to assess the patients’ and family structure professionally [12, 22, 23].
According to the study done in Kenya, 51.5% of nurses were aware that women were more likely to take poison than men. About 64.7% of nurses had shown euthanasia when they got poisoning patient [24]. In Another study, the mean scores for acute poisoning knowledge practices ranged from 7.2 among certificate nurses to 7.4 for higher diploma & degree nurses [25].
Based on a study conducted in Egypt, all nurses in the studied sample (100%) had unsatisfactory knowledge level (< 75%) regarding detection and management of acute drug poisoning [26]. Similarly, in Hawassa study, All ED nurses that participated in the study had unsatisfactory knowledge (< 75%) [27]. since there was no study done in the study area, the findings of the study were very important to identify the factors of knowledge and practice of acute poisoning management.
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Method and material
The study area and period
The cross-sectional study design was conducted in Dessie referral hospital, Amhara region, Ethiopia from January 2018 to June 2018. Dessie referral hospital is located 401 km to the North of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia and 475 km far from Bahir Dar which is the capital city of Amhara region. The Source Population was all BSc and Diploma staff nurses who have been working in Dessie referral hospital.
Sample size determination and sample procedure
To determine the sample size for the study, the following assumptions were considered:
P = 61.5% percentage of a proportion of nurses those have adequate knowledge poisoning management in Ethiopia from Hawassa study in 2016 was taken.
5% margin of error (d = 0.05).
10% for non-response rate
The Sample size was calculated by using the formula:
But our study population 256 total number of nurses in DRH is less than 10,000 the calculation was processed with reduction i.e. \( nf= ni/\left(1+\frac{ni}{N}\right)=363/\left(1+\frac{363}{256}\right) \) = 150, and we add a non-respondent rate of 10% so final sample size was165.
Sampling procedure
All 256 nurses working in the Dessie referral hospital was considered for the study. Participants were selected by using simple random sampling technique from each department based on proportion until the required sample size obtained (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1
Sampling procedure participants in Dessie referral hospital
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Data collection procedure
The questionnaires were developed in English that includes all the relevant variables to meet the objective of the study. The data collected for this study was out by using a self-administered structured questionnaire.
Data quality control
The questionnaire was pretested before the actual data collection by taking around 5% of the total calculated sample size in Kombolcha health center to check consistency, validity, and acceptability of the questioners. The Cronbach alpha result was 0.75 which showed the strong validity and reliability of the questionnaire.
Data processing and analysis
The data was entered and analyzed through SPSS 20. A P-value less than 0.05 was cut point to say there was a positive association b/n the dependent and independent variables. Finally, the result was presented using frequency, percentage, tables, and graphs.
Results
Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants
From a total of 165 participants recruited, 160 participated in the study while 5 unwilling to participate in the study, yielding the response rate of 97.0%. Among the 160 study participants, 96 (60.0%) were males. Majority of the respondents, 110(68.8%) were BSc holder (Table 1).
Table 1
The socio-demographic, experience and training of study participants Dessie referral hospital, North Eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n = 160)
Variables
Frequency (n = 160)
Percent (%)
Sex
Male
96
60.0
Female
64
40.0
Age
20–29
122
76.3
30–39
28
17.5
40–49
7
4.4
> 50
3
1.9
Educational Level
Diploma
49
30.6
Bsc
110
68.8
Msc
1
0.6
Length of experience
< 3 years
112
70.0
4–10 years
46
28.8
11–15 years
1
0.6
> 15 years
1
0.6
Training on management of acute poising
No
69
43.1
Yes
91
56.9
Bsc Bachelor of Science, Msc Master of Science
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Response of DRH nurses on their general knowledge of the poisoning
The item for which nurses displayed the highest knowledge level was on the definition of poison which was 138(86.3%).The item with lowest knowledge level was both classification of poison-based on its motive and cause, and alimentary signs and symptoms of acute poisoning at an early stage; which was homicidal poisoning 20(12.5%) and Dry mouth, abdominal pain and salivation 30(18.8%) respectively (Table 2).
Table 2
Response of DRH nurses on their general knowledge of poisoning, Dessie referral hospital, North Eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018
Knowledge on poisoning
Frequency correct response
Percent (%)
Poison is any substance capable of producing damage or dysfunction in the body by its chemical activity.
138
86.3%
Dose ingested and time of ingestion are not very necessary consideration when managing poisoning cases in ED.
48
30.0%
As an ED nurse it is always very important to treat the poison not the patient.
55
34.4%
The commonest cause of poisoning in developing countries is pesticide poisoning.
93
58.1%
Women are more likely to take deliberate poison in general population to commit suicide than men.
129
80.6%
Cause of poisoning among casualties attending any ED, according to motive and nature of use, can be classified as:
I. Deliberate poisoning.
46
28.8%
II. Accidental poisoning.
65
40.6%
III. Homicidal poisoning.
20
12.5%
IV. Euthanasia poisoning.
56
35%
Alimentary signs and symptoms of acute poisoning during early stages include:
I. Dry mouth, abdominal pain and salivation.
30
18.8%
II. Nausea, vomiting, hallucinations and convulsions.
63
39.3%
III. Coughing, cyanosis, hyperventilation and salivation.
61
38.1%
IV. Tachycardia, hypotension, diarrhea and breathlessness.
50
31.2%
DRH nurses responses on initial management of acute poisoning practices
Hundred forty-eight(92.5%) of nurses answered correctly on the initial management of poisoning were on item said during organophosphate poisoning atropine should not be administered in any circumstance and the decision to perform gastro-intestinal decontamination 125(78.1%) and the volume of lavage fluid which was 102(63.7%). The least answered was an indication of gastric lavage which was 51(31.9%) (Table 3).
Table 3
DRH nurses responses on initial management of acute poisoning practices, North Eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018
DRH nurses responses on IMAP practice
Frequency Correct response
Percent (%)
1-In severe acute poisoning, maintaining adequate airway, respiration and circulation are always a priority.(T)
61
38.1
2-In case of organophosphate poisoning atropine should not be administered in any circumstance.(F)
148
92.5
3-Nearly all poisoning encountered in accident and emergency department have their specific antidote.(F)
105
65.6
4-The decision to perform Gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination should be based upon the specific poison(s) ingested, time from ingestion to presentation, and the predicted severity of the poison.(T)
125
78.1
5-Emesis is to be considered in an alert, conscious patient who has ingested a substantial amount of a toxic substance within 60 min of presentation.(T)
95
59.4
6-Activated charcoal can increase absorption of a wide range of poisons from the gastro-intestinal tract to the entire human system.(F)
71
44.4
7-Gastric lavage is indicated for patients who have ingested kerosene or corrosive substances within an hour of presentation.(F)
82
51.3
8-The effectiveness of gastric lavage increases as the time between ingestion and treatment increases.(F)
51
31.9
9-The volume of lavage fluid aspirated should approximate to the amount of fluid given.(T)
102
63.7
10-Patients presenting following ingestion of controlled/ slow released substances may benefit from decontamination even after a longer delay (e.g. more than 2–4 h).(T)
77
48.1
IMAP Initial Management of Acute Poising
Self-reported nursing practice
Out of 160 nurses participated in the study, 49(32%) participants were responded that guidelines or flow charts were available at facility and 100(62%) nurses indicated that guidelines were necessary to assist in the management of poisoned casualty. One hundred twenty-one (76%) require trained or experienced staff while responding to poison-related cases (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2
Figure that show self-reported nursing practice on initial management of acute poisoning among nurses in Dessie referral hospital in 2018 (n = 160)
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General knowledge on poisoning, knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning and self-reported practice among nurses in Dessie referral hospital
Based on this study, the score ranges from 2 to 9 with the range of 7 with the mean score of 7.48(SD-0. 0.839) for the entire respondents which were 57.5%.This was less than 75% which was an unsatisfactory level of knowledge (Table 4).
Table 4
General Knowledge on poisoning, knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning and self-reported practice among nurses in Dessie referral hospital, North Eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018
Range
Mean Score
Standard deviation
Minimum
Maximum
General Knowledge on poisoning
7.48
0.839
2
9
Knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning
7.28
0.891
5
10
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Educational status versus nurses’ general knowledge of poisoning
Diploma nurses score a mean score of 7.10(SD-0.549) which was the least score, BSc nurses score a mean of 7.65(SD-0.849) and MSc scoring a mean of 8.00 which was the highest score, the p-value was 0.001(Table 5).
Table 5
Educational status versus nurses general knowledge on poisoning Dessie referral hospital, north eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018
Educational status
Number
Mean (SD)
Range
ANOVA
Minimum
Maximum
p-value
F
Diploma
49
7.10 (0.549)
6
8
.001
7.939
Bsc
110
7.65 (0.849)
1
8
Msc
1
8.00
8
8
Training versus nurses’ general knowledge of poisoning
The mean score of general knowledge on poisoning was high among nurses who had training on initial management of poisoning than those nurses who had not training (Table 6).
Table 6
Training versus general knowledge Dessie referral hospital, north eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018
Training
Number
Mean (SD)
Range
ANOVA
Minimum
Maximum
p-value
F
No
69
7.28 (1.056)
1
8
.006
7.608
Yes
91
7.64 (0.587)
7
8
Educational status versus knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning
Diploma nurses score a mean of 6.65(SD-0.8), BSc nurses score a mean of 7.54(0.75) and MSc nurse score a mean of 10 being the highest score, with the mean score of 7.28(SD-0.89) and p-value being 0.001 which shows there was strong statistically significant association between professional qualification and general knowledge of nurses on poisoning since p-value was < 0.05 (Table 7).
Table 7
Educational status versus knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning Dessie referral hospital, north eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018
Educational status
Number
Mean (SD)
Range
ANOVA
Minimum
Maximum
p-value
F
Diploma
49
6.65(.805)
5
9
.001
28.772
Bsc
110
7.54(.750)
6
10
Msc
1
10.00
10
10
Disscussion
The purpose of the study was to asses both nurses knowledge on general and initial management acute poisoning, self-reported practices on the initial management of acute poisoning.
According to this study, the score ranges from 2 to 9 with the range of 7 with the mean score of 7.48(SD-0. 0.839) for the entire respondents that were 57.5% for the given items that was less than 75% which was unsatisfactory level of knowledge. Similar findings were reported in many international and local studies [25‐28]. The unsatisfactory level of knowledge of nurses might be related to lack of training, absence of continuous supervision and evaluation.
This study had shown a strong positive association between nurses’ general knowledge of poisoning and educational status. The mean score of general knowledge on poisoning was increased across the group from Diploma holder nurse to MSc holder nurses. This finding was supported by studies done in Ethiopia, Kenya and Egypt [24‐27]. This indicates that a higher level of professional nursing education boosted the general knowledge of nurses regarding the management of poisoning.
Unlike this study finding from Egypt, 2012, training on primary management of acute poisoning had a significant association with nurse’s general knowledge on the management of poisoning [26]. Nurses who took training on primary management of acute poisoning has a mean score of 7.64(SD-0.587) being the higher score and nurses who had no trained on initial management of acute poisoning had a mean score of 7.28(SD-1.056) being the lower score and p-value was 0.006 which was significant association with the dependent variable. This is reflecting that nurses can develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of patient care and treatment over time through sound educational base training.
Based on this study, the response of the nurses range between 5(min) to 10(max) the range was 5 and the entire mean score was 7.28(SD-0.891) which was 73% of the given items initial management of poisoning which shows nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning. Still, this study finding was much higher than the finding from Egypt; Cairo which was shown nurses’ knowledge on the initial management of acute poisoning was 48.5% [26]. This discrepancy might be due to cross-country limitations of diagnostic tools and reporting biases, differences in socio-economic environments.
According to this study, there is no significant statistical association between length of experience of nurses and their knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning. This finding is in line with findings from both Egypt [26] and Kenya [25]. This might because of the majority (70%) of the study participants had a similar length of working experience.
Concerning about self-reported nursing practice, nearly to three fourth (68.9%) of participants underlined there was no standard guideline in their facility for the management of acute poisoning while 62% the study participants agreed on its necessity. Such gaps also reported from the study conducted in Hawassa which showed the availability of guideline was only 16% while its necessity was reported from 43% of the study participants [27].
Comparing this study results with facilities-based cross-sectional study done in Addis Ababa, we found our rates to be comparable across the board; inadequate skill (71% vs 65%), need presence of trained staff (76% vs 86%), and have professional skill (87% vs 86%,) which all revealed unsatisfactory nursing practice on the management of poisoning [27]. This difference may be due to nurses who worked in Addis Ababa had gotten more training on management of poisoned cases.
Eighty-two percent (82%) of this study participants reported they need more training or education pertaining to the management of poison, and 89% of participant nurses indicated that it was necessary to develop procedures that improve in the identification and management of acutely poisoned casualties seen at Dessie referral hospital. It is consistent with the study results from Ethiopia, Kenya and Egypt [24‐27]. This low practice levels may be related to low knowledge level and loss of continuous education and training courses. Since this was cross-sectional study design establishing a temporal relationship between dependent and independent variable was impossible.
Conclusions
All Dessie referral nurses that participated in this study had unsatisfactory general knowledge on poisoning, knowledge on initial management of acute poisoning and self-reported practice. Socio-demographic and work-related characteristics such as professional qualification and training had an impact on general knowledge and initial management of poisoning. The majority of Dessie referral hospital nurses required training related to emergency and poisoning.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Woldia university financial support and Woldia University for providing sponsoring ship. Dessie town health Administrative office and all study participants are acknowledged for their cooperation during sample collection.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Ethical clearance was obtained from Woldia University, ethical review board and permission was given from Dessie town health administrative office and Dessie referral hospital. The research proposal was evaluated and approved by the Research Ethics Review Committee [HRERC 0810/2018] of College of Health Sciences, Woldia University. Ethical clearance was obtained. Official cooperation and permission was obtained from Dessie town health administrative office and Dessie referral hospital. The participants were guaranteed of their rights and the freedom to withdraw from the study at any time; if they did not wish to continue. A consent form was given to those who were willing to participate in the study, for them to read; and further explanations were given about the form. Each participant signed two consent forms; and was given a copy of the original signed form to keep.
Consent for publication
The article does not contain any individual’s details, images or video; and hence, consent for publication is not applicable here.
Competing interests
The authors state that they have no competing interests.
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