Assessment of Nurses' Knowledge, Attitude and •Practice Toward Aggressive Behavior in Psychiatric Hospitals

Abstract

Aggressive behavior by patients presents a serious clinical risk for the staff and their employers at the psychiatric . hospital. Many staff experience physical, emotional, social and family reactions immediately after being assaulted. Measures to control aggressive episodes have included physical restraint, treatment with drugs, psychotherapeutic and behavioral approaches.

Nurses need to be particularly mindful of the way they approach and interact with their patients. The nurse has to have an understanding of the nature of human behavior and not just the technical know how to impleme 1t care strategies or operate therapeutic procedures. There has to be balance • between the art and science of nursing which enables the nurse to• combine human qualities in pursuit of professional caring. Whithout such balance the nurse is more at risk of abuse and unable to deliver successful care.

Aim of the study: To assess nurses' knowledge, attitude . and practice towards the aggressive behavior in psychiatric hospitals.

Material and methods: The present study included 75 nurses. The study was conducted in two types of hospitals:

• Ain Shams Psychiatric Institute as a University Hospital. •

• Abbasseya Mental hospital as a state mental hospital.