Caring For Post-ICU Patients: Knowledge and Attitude Among Nurses Working in General Wards at Tertiary Hospitals, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Introduction: Caring for patients from the Intensive Care Unit (post-ICU) in general wards is critical in determining patient outcomes. As primary caregivers, nurses provide hour-to-hour care and are essential in monitoring and addressing any signs of deterioration during this crucial transition period. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude are vital for ensuring the timely identification and management of complications. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nurses caring for post-ICU patients in general wards. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2021 at Muhimbili National Hospital (MHN), Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOI), and Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI). This study included 169 consenting nurses who were recruited using simple random sampling. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire, and analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the nurses’ attitudes, and a chi-square test was used to determine whether there was a significant association between categorical variables. Results: A total of 169 nurses were recruited, of whom 109 (64.5%) were female. Most participants, 97 (57.4%), were aged between 20 and 34 years. About 106 (62.7%) held a nursing diploma, while 85 (50.6%) had 2–5 years of clinical experience. Most nurses (81.7%) lacked sufficient knowledge of post-ICU care, particularly in critical areas such as maintaining airway patency, using Bag-Valve Masks, and using Emergency drugs. Descriptive analysis revealed a mean score of 3.298 (SD =0.6085), assessed using a 5-point Likert scale to evaluate nurses' attitudes. The chi-square test revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between nurses' attitudes and factors such as education level, working area, and years of experience. However, age and gender did not show a significant association, with 71.0% of nurses demonstrating a positive attitude toward post-ICU patient care. Conclusion: While nurses demonstrated positive attitudes toward post-ICU care, significant knowledge gaps were identified. These deficiencies highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, such as training programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of general ward nurses. Implementing such initiatives will be essential to improving the quality of care for post-ICU patients and ensuring better patient outcomes.