Nurses knowledge on initial assessment and management for traumatic brain injury patients in regional referral hospital Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Traumatic brain injury is defined as an insult to the brain, which is caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness (Delucca, 2012).TBI is a leading cause of death and disability in trauma patients worldwide (Vella et al., 2017). Although nurses perform multiple range of activities in traumatic brain injury patients but data of the nursing roles on assessment and management of TBI patients in Tanzania is limited Aim: The aim of this study was to assess nurse’s knowledge on initial assessment and management for traumatic brain injury patients in regional referral hospital Dares salaam, Two specific objectives guided the study; first was to determine nurses knowledge on initial assessment for traumatic brain injury(TBI) in regional referral hospitals Dares salaam. Second was to determine nurses knowledge on initial management for TBI in regional referral hospitals Dares salaam Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was used, where by a structured questionnaire assessed 129 nurses about their knowledge on initial assessment and management for TBI Nurses working in OPD were conveniently recruited. Data was analyzed using SPSS computer software version 23. Analysis was done with the assistance of a statistician from the national institute for medical research (NIMR) Results: Poor nursing knowledge on initial assessment and management among nurses working at outpatient department (OPD) in regional referral hospitals (RRH) was an outcome. Majority of the participants (73.64%) were not knowledgeable on the goal of initial management for TBI patients which is the prevention of hypoxia and hypotension. High proportion (76.64%) was not familiar that immediately initial interventions are focus on establishing clear airway. It was also noted that 72.87% was not aware that jaw trust maneuver is an approach of maintaining airway for patient TBI patients. About (81%) failed to recognize components of circulatory status.46% didn’t know eye response, verbal response and motor response are the specific sections of GCSMajority of participants reported shortage of nursing staff, overcrowding of patients and lack of regular training to be barriers for proper assessment and timely management for TBI patients

Conclusion:The findings of this study show that nurses of RRH lack knowledge of initial assessment and management for TBI patients therefore on job training focusing provision of initial assessment and management for TBI is recommended because understanding initial assessment and timely management of TBI by nurses can maximize patient's survival and prevent neurological complications associated with head injuries.