Croatian nurses' and nursing students' knowledge about pressure injury prevention.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of nurses and nursing students about pressure injury (PI) prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was used, and the sample consisted of 312 participants, of whom 198 were nursing students and 114 were nurses from the clinical hospital. The response rate for the total population was 78%. The Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool PUKAT 2.0. was translated to Croatian and used in the study. Data were collected between January and March 2020. Descriptive statistics and chi square tests with Fisher correction for small samples were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The mean number of correct answers was 10.45 points or 41.8%, which is not considered a satisfactory result. Nurses from the clinical hospital achieved 45.48% correct answers, while part-time students achieved 39.7%. Respondents achieved the best results in the theme of risk assessment and the lowest in the theme prevention of pressure ulcers. A statistically significant difference between the two groups of respondents was found in the themes of classification and observation (p = 0.004), nutrition (p = 0.015), prevention of pressure ulcers (p = 0.010), and specific patient groups (p = 0.002), as well as in the number of total correct answers (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that knowledge about PI prevention in nurses and nursing students was inadequate. Nurses showed a higher level of knowledge than the students. PIs are a significant clinical problem affecting quality of life, health care costs, and treatment outcomes in patients, so it is important that nurses have adequate knowledge.

Strength of Sense of Coherence among Nurses and the Relationship between Socio-Demographic and Work-Related Factors.

Sense of coherence (SOC) occupies the central place within the salutogenic model. It is an important contributor to the development and maintenance of people's health. This study aimed to assess the strength of sense of coherence (SOC) among nurses and the relationship between the strength of SOC and socio-demographic and work-related factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. Linear regression was used to describe strength of association between SOC and socio-demographic and work-related factors. A total of 713/1300 nurses completed an SOC-29-item questionnaire for the assessment of SOC. The mean value for total SOC score (SOCS) was 145.0 points (SD 22.1, range 81-200). The results of the multivariate linear regression revealed statistically significant positive associations between SOCS and age (>40 years), level of education (master of nursing and bachelor of nursing), and transportation mode by car. Our study suggested SOC as an important and influential health-promoting personal resource of nurses which might offer protection regarding work-related stress.

Older Adults Knowledge about using smart technology during the Covid-19 crisis-a qualitative pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The exponential increase of the older population is coinciding with the growing challenges of digital technology in the different socio-cultural environments. This pilot study aimed to examine the knowledge of institutionalized elderly people about the use of technology and digital literacy and to analyze the perspectives of older users on the impact of smart technology on their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS: 10 users of the Home for the Elderly and Infirm "Jordanovac", Zagreb participated in a semi-structured 1:1 interview conducted in January 2021 after the approval of the Ethics Committee, respecting all epidemiologically prescribed measures. All narratives were recorded, then transcribed into tables, and went through a content analysis process. RESULTS: All 10 participants (average age: 83.4) use and own a mobile device, but only 4 of them use smart devices. They mostly use ordinary calls for communication, and of the applications, with only 3 users, Viber, WhatsApp, and video calling are equally represented. Only one user uses Skype to communicate with their family. DISCUSSION: Despite long-term isolation, respondents do not see technology as an opportunity to establish and maintain social contacts and do not have enough knowledge about using it. Most were educated on their own or by their families, which can be a good starting point for developing strategies in the form of activating volunteers who would teach the elderly about the possibilities of using digital content after the Covid crisis.