Knowledge, attitude and practice related to intra-abdominal pressure measurement among intensive care unit nurses and determinant factors: A regional multicentre cross-sectional study.

Background: Intra-abdominal hypertension is a common serious complication in critically ill patients. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement is the only reliable method of detecting and managing IAP. Various factors influence the knowledge, attitude and practice of IAP measurement.

Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of IAP measurement among ICU nurses and to identify the factors affecting the knowledge, attitude and practice.

Study design: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted in 38 hospitals in Guangdong province, China, from March to June 2024.

Results: A total of 1254 valid questionnaires were collected. The median scores of knowledge were 8.0, with an interquartile range of 7.0-8.0. The median scores of attitude were 23.0, with an interquartile range of 21.0-25.0. The median scores of practice were 41.0, with an interquartile range of 36.0-45.0. There was a positive and significant relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that ICU type (95%CI = -0.469 to -0.163, p = .000), education level (95%CI = 0.024-0.332, p = .024), monthly income (95%CI = 0.054-0.227, p = .002), attitude (95%CI = 0.038-0.090, p = .000) and practice (95%CI = 0.033-0.055, p = .000) independently affected the knowledge; age (95%CI = 0.068-0.815, p = .021), clinical instructor (95%CI = 0.145-0.822, p = .005), head nurse (95%CI = 0.006-1.409, p = .048), knowledge (95%CI = 0.174-0.411, p = .000) and practice (95%CI = 0.077-0.123, p = .000) independently affected the attitude; and age (95%CI = -0.956 to -0.031, p = .036), knowledge (95%CI = 0.871-1.416, p = .000) and attitude (95%CI = 0.446-0.702, p = .000) independently affected the practice.

Conclusions: Although the knowledge, attitude and practice of IAP measurement among ICU nurses are acceptable, there is still room for improvement in knowledge and practice. Nursing managers should strengthen management, provide more learning resources and training to meet nurses' needs about IAP measurement, so as to further improve the early recognition and management of increased IAP.

Relevance to clinical practice: The data highlight the knowledge, attitude and practice and determinant factors of IAP measurement among ICU nurses and will help to make management protocols in the future. Nursing educators and administrators are recommended to provide guidance, training and support to further improve knowledge and practice of IAP measurement among the ICU nurses.