Enteral nutritional therapy practices for adults in a district hospital and primary healthcare centers in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa: Knowledge and attitude of health care professionals

Abstract

Background: Substantial prevalence of malnutrition that occurs in 15–60% of adults in both primary health care and acute care settings has increased the use of enteral nutritional therapy and the development of related guidelines. However, related knowledge remains inadequate and a negative attitude among health care professionals is revealed, particularly in the community and primary health care setting. Objectives: To describe self-reported knowledge and the attitude of health care professionals regarding enteral nutritional therapy for adults presenting at a district hospital and primary health care centers in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Methods: A quantitative non-experimental descriptive study was conducted on health care professionals working at a district hospital and primary health care centers in KwaZulu-Natal. The sample was selected using purposive sampling and G* Power 3 for sample size determination. Results: Results showed that health care professionals had poor knowledge and positive attitude regarding enteral nutritional therapy in adults. There was a significant association between respondents’ knowledge and attitudes, χ (2, N = 96) = 26.216, p = 0.001. Conclusion: Consistent with previous international studies, results of this study entrench the need for focused professional training and continuing professional education about enteral nutritional therapy at district hospital and primary healthcare centers in South Africa.

Keywords

• Nutritional therapy
• Enteral nutrition
• Knowledge
• Attitudes
• Adult patients
• Health care professionals