ICU nurses' perceived knowledge, attitude, and practice on endotracheal suctioning: a preliminary study at a hospital in Pahang, Malaysia

Background: Endotracheal suctioning is a common procedure for intubated patients typically seen in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Although several studies regarding the knowledge and practice of endotracheal suctioning among nurses was conducted internationally, the status of the procedure in Malaysia is unknown. ************************************************************************************ Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice on endotracheal suctioning and the relationship between each variable. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via convenient sampling at two ICUs using a set of questionnaire that consisted of four parts pertaining to sociodemographic data, knowledge items, attitude items, and practice items following ethical approvals. The data obtained were analyzed for descriptive and inferential assessments using SPSS. ************************************************************************************** Results: A total of 77 nurses responded to the questionnaire (response rate 100%). A moderate positive relationship between knowledge and attitude were identified (r=0.514, p=0.000), while a weak positive relationship was observed between knowledge and practice (r=0.408, p=0.000). A negligible correlation was also observed between attitude and practice (r=0.269, p=0.018). ************************************************************************************ Discussion: From the study, the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice were found to be related to each other. The results have shown that age does not represent the score gain in knowledge, attitude, and practice questions. Similarly, the score gain was not affected whether the nurses had a post-basic background or not. ************************************************************************************* Conclusion: There is a relationship between knowledge, attitude, and practice on endotracheal suctioning among ICU nurses. There is no relationship between sociodemographic data (age, working experience, and post-basic) with knowledge, attitude, and practice on endotracheal suctioning. A good practice score was seen in this study compared to the knowledge and attitude score among ICU nurses in HTAA Kuantan. Most of the ICU nurses in the HTAA Kuantan exhibited an excellent practice on endotracheal suctioning