Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Nurses Regarding Pressure Injury Prevention and Management in Nablus, Palestine: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Pressure injuries are largely preventable yet remain common in hospital care. This multi-hospital study assessed nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices for prevention in governmental, private and charitable hospitals in Nablus, Palestine, and examined links with professional characteristics. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in six hospitals in Nablus city, Palestine. A total of 231 registered nurses were recruited using convenience sampling and completed a content-validated, self-administered questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge (20 items), attitudes (11 items), and practices (17 items). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc tests, and binary logistic regression for adequate knowledge and practice (≥ 80%). Overall, 64.5% demonstrated adequate knowledge, and 58.0% expressed a favourable attitude. Practice adherence averaged 70.9 ± 16.3 out of 100. Only 31.6% achieved ≥ 80%, indicating suboptimal practice in most participants. Key gaps involved massage avoidance and the use of lifting devices. Knowledge was higher with recent PI training (1–2 years vs never: OR = 4.110, 95% CI 1.622–10.414, p = 0.003; 2–3 years vs never: OR = 3.047, 95% CI 1.208–7.687, p = 0.018). Practice adequacy was higher with training < 1 year ago vs never (OR = 4.146, 95% CI 1.636–10.512, p = 0.003). Other adjusted associations were imprecise and treated as exploratory. Nurses showed generally adequate knowledge, whereas routine preventive practice remained less consistent. Recent training was associated with better knowledge and practice, suggesting that targeted education, supervised skills training, unit-level protocols and audit with feedback may support improvement.