Performance of Nurses Caring for Neonates with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension: An Assessment Study

Abstract

Background: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a syndrome of failed circulatory adaptation at birth due to delay or impairment in the normal fall in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) that occurs after birth. Aim of the study: To assess performance of nurses caring for neonates with PPHN. Design: A descriptive design was used in this study. Settings: This study was carried out in neonatal intensive care units at Children’s Hospital and Obestatric Gynacological Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University and Fayoum General Hospital affiliated Ministry of Health in Fayoum Governorate. Subjects: A convenient sample of all available staff nurses (100) and working in the previously mentioned settings. A Purposive sample of neonates with inclusions criteria: neonates with gestational age more than 37 weeks of gestation and their birth weight more than 2500 gm. Data collection: Three tools were used in this study as follows, 1. Predesigned questionnaire, 2. Observational checklist and 3. Attitude rating scale. Results: Findings revealed that high statistically significant relation, positive correlation between total knowledge with total attitude and positive correlation between total knowledge with total practice, total attitude and total practice.. Conclusion: More than half of studied nurses had good knowledge about PPHN, three quarters of studied nurses had competent practice during caring for neonates with PPHN, and the majority of them had positive attitude regarding caring for neonates with PPHN. Recommendations: Increasing staff nurses knowledge through educational program and training courses.