Perception towards nursing profession and associated factors among patients at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia. A cross- sectional study

Abstract

Background: Nursing is a health-care profession that focuses on assisting individuals, families, and communities in achieving, maintaining, or regaining optimal health. Some studies show that the image of the profession is damaged by misconceptions due to a misunderstanding of the facts of the profession. Thus, this study aimed to assess the perceptions towards the nursing profession and associated factors among patients at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma Medical Center from April 3–15/2019. A systematic sampling technique and face to face interviews were used to collect data. The data were entered using Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Simple Linear regression analysis was done and the significant variables were explained by using an unstandardized ß value and p-value of less than 0.05. Results: The perception score, 99(42.4%) high perception, 61(26%) medium perception, and 74(31.6%) low perception towards nursing profession. Age (41–60 years) (ß = −1.172, p = 0.042), area of residence (ß = 1.853, p = 0.008), social value and role (ß = 2.065, p = 0.0001) and nursing care satisfaction (ß = 1.769, p = 0.001) were factors affected perception towards nursing profession. Conclusion: The overall level of patients' perception of the nursing profession was found to be low. Age, residence, social value and role characteristics, and nursing care satisfaction were significantly associated with the perception of patients. Therefore, health education and awareness creation towards the nursing profession should be given to the community.

Keywords

• Perception
• Nursing
• Profession
• Associated factors
• Jimma Medical Center