Mary Rose Day1, Geraldine McCarthy1. 1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Brookfield Health Science Complex, Cork, Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: self-neglect (SN) is a global health and social problem affecting societies, which is largely hidden, under-reported and underresearched. Community nurses (CNs) and social workers (SWs) need to be knowledgeable about SN. OBJECTIVE: to determine CNs and SWs sources and level of SN knowledge. METHODS: quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: CNs and SWs working in the community with older people at risk of SN. SETTINGS: participants were recruited from four Health Service Executive (HSE) areas in Ireland. INSTRUMENT: a questionnaire was developed to elicit levels and sources of SN knowledge. A postal survey was used. RESULTS: of the 566 questionnaires posted, 339 responded (Nurses (N) N = 305; SWs N = 34), a 60% response. SWs had statistically higher knowledge scores (P = 0.002), and difference in average scores between CNs and SWs was statistically significant (P = 0.037). There was a statistically significant difference between practice and personal experience (P = 0.44), and use of literature/books (P = 0.037) between CNs and SWs, with SWs using both sources more. Higher knowledge scores were significantly associated with number of SN cases, higher education and gender. CONCLUSION: there is a need for interdisciplinary training on SN.
BACKGROUND: self-neglect (SN) is a global health and social problem affecting societies, which is largely hidden, under-reported and underresearched. Community nurses (CNs) and social workers (SWs) need to be knowledgeable about SN. OBJECTIVE: to determine CNs and SWs sources and level of SN knowledge. METHODS: quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: CNs and SWs working in the community with older people at risk of SN. SETTINGS: participants were recruited from four Health Service Executive (HSE) areas in Ireland. INSTRUMENT: a questionnaire was developed to elicit levels and sources of SN knowledge. A postal survey was used. RESULTS: of the 566 questionnaires posted, 339 responded (Nurses (N) N = 305; SWs N = 34), a 60% response. SWs had statistically higher knowledge scores (P = 0.002), and difference in average scores between CNs and SWs was statistically significant (P = 0.037). There was a statistically significant difference between practice and personal experience (P = 0.44), and use of literature/books (P = 0.037) between CNs and SWs, with SWs using both sources more. Higher knowledge scores were significantly associated with number of SN cases, higher education and gender. CONCLUSION: there is a need for interdisciplinary training on SN.
Authors: Arkers Kwan Ching Wong; Frances Kam Yuet Wong; Jenny Sau Chun Ngai; Shirley Yu Kan Hung; Wah Chun Li Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2020-09-10 Impact factor: 3.921