Current nurses' practice in the promotion of continence

Abstract

This study sought to explore the current nurses' practice in the promotion of urinary incontinence in a Maltese long term institution. A descriptive non experimental design, integrating a qualitative approach, was implemented using a semi-structured interview methodology. A sample of ten nurses working in female wards as full timers was selected. Content analysis was employed to evaluate the qualitative component of the data. Findings indicate that nurses in this study have inaccurate knowledge regarding management and promotion of continence. The results indicate that pre and post registration education in this area appeared to be limited in spite of considerable advances in methods of continence management in recent years. Furthermore, findings indicate that many nurses have only a superficial awareness of management and promotion of continence. Additionally, most of the nurses in this study irrespective of grade, lack the knowledge necessary to carry out a continence assessment. All nurses in this study feel that they consider it important to have more opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills within this area. Moreover inadequate knowledge has led to misconceptions and negative attitude among nurses toward continence promotion in elderly. There appears also to be several restraints to successful continence promotion in the nursing residence. These include understaffing, lack of resources and sparse educational preparation. Owing to the fact that this was the researcher's first research project and the small sample size that this study has, it enclose a number of limitations. On the other hand, this project has helped in exploring this field of study. As a result of this study, recommendations are made for improvements to the present situation and for further research to be carried out.