Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices in Registered Nurses and Care Aids About Urinary Incontinence in Korean Nursing Homes A Cross-sectional Survey

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices about urinary incontinence among Korean RNs and care aids and to identify correlates of continence care practices. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was used to gather self-reported data from 338 nursing staff, including 135 RNs and 203 care aids, from 61 nursing homes in Korea by using an existing instrument adapted for Korean nursing staff. The instrument consists of 18 items designed to measure knowledge about urinary incontinence, 18 items querying attitudes toward continence care, 17 items focusing on beliefs about undesirable consequences to older adults with urinary incontinence, and 28 items querying on continence care practice. RESULTS: Registered nurses had higher knowledge about urinary incontinence and they had more positive attitudes toward continence care practice than care aids. Attitudes, facility bed capacity, and continuing education on urinary incontinence were significantly related (P < .05) to RNs' continence care practice scores (R-2 = 0.285; P < .001), while care aids' practice scores were associated with knowledge and attitudes (R-2 = 0.163; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Attitude plays an important role in continence care practice for both RNs and care aids in Korean nursing homes. In addition, continence care practice of RNs may be influenced by updating clinical competencies. For care aids, continence care practice can be influenced by improving basic knowledge of urinary incontinence.