Knowledge of Adult Life Support Among Nurses at a Tertiary Hospital in Somalia

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of nurses in clinics at the Somalia Mogadishu Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital concerning basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS). Materials and Methods: A questionnaire comprising 10 questions related to demographic data and 24 objective questions assessing knowledge about BLS and ALS was administered to 104 nurses working in the hospital’s clinics. The questionnaire responses were analyzed, and the results were compared across different clinics. Results: Among the 104 participants, 48 were male and 56 were female nurses. The age distribution analysis revealed that 58 participants were aged between 26 and 30 years or older. Most (n=30) nurses were stationed in the intensive care unit. Participants with over 4 years of professional experience constituted the largest group. Female nurses demonstrated higher accuracy in survey responses than their male counterparts. The emergency medicine department yielded the highest number of correct answers based on the services provided. Significant correlations were identified between years of professional experience and correct answers to ALS questions. A noteworthy difference surfaced between the ability to effectively implement adult life support and accurate responses to the BLS survey questions. Conclusion: Periodic informative training on adult life support should be provided to all nurses. In particular, nurses working in critical departments should be afforded opportunities to familiarize themselves with new guidelines through periodic reviews. This approach will substantially enhance knowledge levels and service quality in the application of adult life support.

Keywords

• advanced life support
• basic life support
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation