• J A Ingwu, A H Nwaordu, H Opara, O E Israel, and C Ogbogu.
• Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
• Niger J Clin Pract. 2019 Jul 1; 22 (7): 1014-1021.

IntroductionGlobally, nurses are known to care for hospitalized patients and the presence or absence of pressure ulcers is being regarded as a performance measure of quality nursing care. The study aims to determine the knowledge and practice of caregivers towards pressure ulcer prevention for hospitalized patients in National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.MethodA cross sectional descriptive survey design was adopted among eighty-five (85) caregivers who met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. Ethical approval and informed consent of participants was obtained before data collection using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square statistical test was used to test for association between variables.ResultResults revealed poor knowledge 67.3% of pressure ulcer prevention among caregivers. Inadequate staffing 93.5%, heavy workload 92.9%, were highest perceived barriers to pressure ulcer prevention. The test of hypothesis showed that there is a significant relationship between years of service of caregivers and knowledge of pressure ulcer P = 0.000.ConclusionIt was concluded that in-service training, recruitment of more staff and ensuring availability of the necessary equipment are some of the important steps to improve nurses' knowledge and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer.

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