An Assessment of Nurses%26apos; Knowledge of Botulism

作者：Bork Christopher E^*; Rega Paul P

来源：Public Health Nursing, 2012, 29(2): 168-174.

DOI：10.1111/j.1525-1446.2011.00988.x

• bioterrorism
• emergency preparedness
• food-borne illness
• public health nursing education

Objective: To assess nurses%26apos; knowledge of botulism, a Centers for Disease Control Category A bioterrorism agent, one case of which constitutes an emergency. Design: The study utilized survey research. Sample: The cluster sample included 1,414 registered nurses. Measure: The survey gathered demographic data and nurses knowledge of the background, manifestation and management of botulism. Results: The mean percentage of correct answers for the sample was 25.95%, with a standard deviation (SD) of +/- 19.89%. Only 90 (6.3%) achieved 60% or more correct. Educational preparation, experience, specialty/area of practice and whether nurses had a class in disaster medicine were also examined and although differences were noted, none of these factors accounted for a score of 60% or above. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the need for an assessment of the current education nurses receive about botulism.

• 出版日期2012-4