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An Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge of Botulism
Author(s) -
Bork Christopher E.,
Rega Paul P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2011.00988.x
Subject(s) - botulism , specialty , medicine , family medicine , cluster (spacecraft) , nursing , genetics , computer science , biology , programming language
Objective To assess nurses’ knowledge of botulism, a Centers for Disease Control Category A bioterrorism agent, one case of which constitutes an emergency. Design The study utilized survey research. Sample The cluster sample included 1,414 registered nurses. Measure The survey gathered demographic data and nurses’ knowledge of the background, manifestation and management of botulism. Results The mean percentage of correct answers for the sample was 25.95%, with a standard deviation ( SD ) of ±19.89%. Only 90 (6.3%) achieved 60% or more correct. Educational preparation, experience, specialty/area of practice and whether nurses had a class in disaster medicine were also examined and although differences were noted, none of these factors accounted for a score of 60% or above. Conclusions The results of this study indicate the need for an assessment of the current education nurses receive about botulism.