Factors Correlated with Practices Regarding Care of Dengue Patients Among Nurses from 94 Primary Care Units in a High- Risk Province in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Charuai Suwanbamrung,1 Cua Ngoc Le,1 Phatcharaphon Phetphrom,2 Penpanee Kamneatdee,2 Orratai Nontapet,3 Nattavadee Kaewket2 1Excellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH), School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thailand; 2School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thailand; 3Excellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH), School of Nursing, Walailak University, ThailandCorrespondence: Charuai SuwanbamrungExcellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH), School of Public Health, Walailak University, ThailandEmail [email protected]: In Thailand, primary care units (PCUs) play a part in the health assessment, diagnosis, care, basic treatment and referral of patients suffering from dengue.Methods: In Nakhon Si Thammarat province in Thailand, we (i) undertook assessment of the personal information, experience, knowledge, attitudes, preparation of equipment and use of medical supplies of nurses in PCUs with regard to dengue patient care (DPC); (ii) analyzed the factors and practices of nurses regarding DPC; (iii) explored nurses’ opinions regarding DPC in PCUs. A cross-sectional mixed methods of collecting data consisted of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study cohort was 94 nurses from 94 PCUs in an area of high risk of dengue outbreaks. The quantitative component involved questionnaires. The qualitative component consisted of nurses’ discussions in focus groups. Spearman’s test was employed to analyze quantitative data, and thematic analyses were employed for qualitative data.Results: Of 94 nurses from 94 PCUs, 77.7% (n = 73) had a poor knowledge level of DPC and negative attitude, preparation of equipment was carried out by 60.6% (n = 58), and 1 to 6 aspects of DPC were at good practice level: 88.3% (n = 83), 87.2% (n = 82), 85.1% (n = 80), 50.0% (n = 47), 51.1% (n = 48) and 77.7% (n = 73). There was no significant correlation (i) between the knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to DPC (P > 0.05); (ii) with practice guidelines for dengue prevention (P > 0.05). The quantitative results were related to the four main themes of the qualitative study.Conclusion: There was a few who had good knowledge and positive attitude levels among participants, and > 90% of all nurses had good practices regarding DPC. PCU nurses need training and supporting equipment to carry out a DPC program.Keywords: dengue patient care, nurse, primary care unit, mixed methods, high risk of dengue

Keywords

• dengue patient care
• nurse
• primary care unit
• mixed methods
• high risk of dengue