title: A national cross-sectional study of community nurses and social workers knowledge of self-neglect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  self-neglect (SN) is a global health and social problem affecting societies, which is largely hidden, under-reported and underresearched. Community nurses (CNs) and social workers (SWs) need to be knowledgeable about SN.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to determine CNs and SWs sources and level of SN knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  CNs and SWs working in the community with older people at risk of SN.
  
  
  METHODS
  participants were recruited from four Health Service Executive (HSE) areas in Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  a questionnaire was developed to elicit levels and sources of SN knowledge. A postal survey was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  of the 566 questionnaires posted, 339 responded (Nurses (N) N = 305; SWs N = 34), a 60% response. SWs had statistically higher knowledge scores (P = 0.002), and difference in average scores between CNs and SWs was statistically significant (P = 0.037). There was a statistically significant difference between practice and personal experience (P = 0.44), and use of literature/books (P = 0.037) between CNs and SWs, with SWs using both sources more. Higher knowledge scores were significantly associated with number of SN cases, higher education and gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  there is a need for interdisciplinary training on SN.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Brookfield Health Science Complex, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mary Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Brookfield Health Science Complex, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D064691:Nurses, Community Health / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068217:Social Workers / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: community nurses; knowledge; older people; self-neglect; social workers