Nurses and nutrition: A survey of knowledge and attitudes regarding nutrition assessment and care of hospitalized elderly patients

Mona Boaz, Lydia Rychani, Kohava Barami, Zahava Houri, Ruth Yosef, Avital Siag, Yitzhak Berlovitz, Eyal Leibovitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding nutrition care play an important role in patient nutrition assessment and intervention. This study measured the association between nutrition knowledge and attitudes about nutrition care and feeding patients among nurses working in hospital settings. Methods: This cross-sectional survey queried nutrition knowledge, attitudes, clinical applications, and task rankings using structured questionnaires in a representative sample of 106 nurses employed at two large government hospitals. Results: The mean proportion of correct responses to the nutrition knowledge questionnaire was 51.9% ± 0.1%. Nutrition care tasks, including feeding patients, performing nutrition assessment, and providing appropriate food to patients, were ranked as relatively unimportant. A significant positive association was identified between total nutrition knowledge score and the importance placed on the role of nutrition in health and disease. Conclusion: Nutrition education for nursing staff could improve both nutrition knowledge and willingness and confidence to perform nutrition assessment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)357-364
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Volume44
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Education
  • General Nursing
  • Review and Exam Preparation

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