Do we still need to assess nurses' attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention? A systematic review

Objective: To critically appraise and synthesise existing research literature pertaining to nurses' attitudes towards pressure ulcer (PU) prevention.

Method: Using systematic review methodology, published quantitative studies focusing on nurses' attitudes towards PU prevention measured by psychometric tests were included. The search was conducted in May 2019 using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane and EMBASE databases, and returned 442 records, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a pre-designed extraction tool and all included studies were quality appraised using the checklist.

Results: Of the included studies, 20 employed a cross-sectional design and one author employed a validation study. In measuring nurses' attitudes toward PU prevention two distinct instruments were used: the 'Moore and Price Attitude Scale' and the 'Attitude towards Pressure Ulcer Prevention Instrument'. The mean attitude score within the studies was 73% (standard deviation=9.2%). The lowest attitude score was 51%, while the highest score was 89%. The results obtained from the studies indicated that 86% (n=18) yielded positive attitude results.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that, overall, nurses are positively disposed towards PU prevention. However, it is important to highlight that the nurses have difficulties translating this positive attitude into actual PU prevention strategies.