Turkish nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices in the management of incontinence associated dermatitis: A descriptive and cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to determine nurses' current knowledge, attitudes, and practices in adult intensive care units and palliative care clinics regarding incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 355 nurses in adult intensive care and palliative services at two hospitals. Data were collected between 5.03.2022 and 15.06.2022 using the" Nurse Demographic Form" and the "Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nurses in Managing Incontinence- Associated Dermatitis Questionnaire". Results: The nurses' mean scores for "Knowledge of IAD Etiology and Diagnosis" were 19.11 (SD 3.29), mean scores for "Knowledge of IAD Risk Factors" were 23.82 (SD 4.27), mean scores for "Attitude Toward IAD Prevention" were 10.1 (SD 2.49), and mean scores for "Practices for IAD Prevention" were 23.71 (SD 3.97). It was found that nurses who used a risk assessment tool to diagnose IAD (p = 0.001), had a procedure or protocol (p = 0.001), and received training on IAD (p < 0.001) had significantly higher "Attitude Towards Prevention of IAD" scores. There was a positive correlation between the number of patients with IAD cared for by the nurses participating in the study and the scores of "Practices to Prevent IAD"and "Knowledge of IAD Risk Factors", "Knowledge of IAD Etiology and Diagnosis"and "Attitude Towards Preventing IAD"(p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that intensive care and palliative care nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding IAD were insufficient. Considering that IAD is encountered more frequently in these units, it is essential to provide continuous and practical training to nurses about IAD, use risk assessment tools to prevent and treat IAD, determine protocols, establish clinical guidelines, and implement and standardize them.