Effectiveness of an Instructional Program on Nurses’ Practices toward Change Position Effect of Preterm Babies with Respiratory Disorders

Abstract

Background: Positioning is a crucial aspect of developmental care because it keeps the infant flexible, aligned, confined, and comfortable. It is a simple therapeutic procedure that is effective and safe for preterm infants.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of an instructional program on nurses' practices toward change position, and to find out the relationships between the effectiveness of instruction program and demographic characteristics of nurses.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental study design was initiated from 20 December 2022 to 22 May 2023 at Maysan hospital for child and birth, in Al-Amarah city. A non-probability “convenience” sample was selected and consisting of 50 Nurses. The data was obtained by observation utilizing a constructive practices checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data by using SPSS (version 26.0)

Results: Findings reveal that nurses in the study group are showing fair level of practices during the pre-test time (76%) while they are showing good level of practices during the post-test 1 (88%) and post-test 2 (84%) that indicate the significant changes in level of practices among nurses after applying the program.

Conclusion: The Instructional program had a positive effect on the practices of neonatal intensive care unit nurses. There were significant differences in the study group's practices scores between the pre-test and post-test. There was association between nurses’ practices and their age.

Recommendations: Providing Neonatal intensive care unit nurses with posters, leaflets, and books so they can learn enough about the right and safe position for preterm babies. Standardized checklists should be made available in NICU.