Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes towards Health Promotion At Al-Hussein Medical City in Kerbela

Abstract

Objectives: to assess nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward health promotion at Al-Hussein medical city in Kerbela.

Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out during the period of March 25th through June 30th, 2014 to assess the nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward health promotion at Al-Hussein medical city in Kerbela on a sample of 120 nurses. A questionnaire was used in the study, which contain information about the demographic data of the nurses (5 items) & selected questions about their knowledge (14 items) and attitudes regarding health promotion (16 items). Data were analyzed through a descriptive, and inferential statistics (t-test and correlational statistics) using the SPSS, version 19.

Results: it was found that more than two thirds of nurses (68.3%) were no participate in training courses about health promotion .The study revealed that most of the nurses have adequate knowledge regarding majority aspects of health promotion except in the aspect of (Regular exercise is highly recommended for the obese, and obesity is always bad for health) were they have inadequate knowledge. Also, most of the nurses have positive attitude toward health promotion.

Conclusions: the present study concluded that there is a shortage in the training courses about health promotion for nurses; there is a lack of knowledge level about the importance of regular exercise for the obese; and, "obesity is always bad for health". In addition to the education level, years of experience and training have a positive effect on the level of nurses' knowledge. As well as training courses affect positively on nurses' attitudes toward health promotion.

Recommendations: the study recommended education program should be designed and implemented to nurses who were working in the hospital to increase their knowledge concerning health promotion. Also to carryout additional studies with larger sample in other Iraqi governorates.