title: Knowledge level of nurses in Jordan on ventilator-associated pneumonia and preventive measures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most prevalent infection in Intensive Care Units, with the highest mortality rate; crude mortality rates may be as high as 20-75%. Many practices such as prevention measures (e.g. hand washing, wearing gloves, suctioning, elevated head of bed between 30° and 45°) have demonstrated an effect of reducing the incidence of this infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the level of nurses' knowledge of ventilator-associated pneumonia and prevention measures before an educational programme, identify the level of nurses' knowledge on ventilator-associated pneumonia and prevention post an educational programme and identify the reasons for not applying ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention measures among nurses in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-intervention observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data based on a self-reported questionnaire from 428 nurses who worked in intensive care units were analysed. PowerPoint lectures, videos, printed materials and electronic materials were used in the intervention. Paired t-tests were used to test research questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than three-quarters of nurses had a low knowledge level regarding pathophysiology, risk factors and ventilator-associated pneumonia preventative measures. Nurses showed significant improvements in mean scores on the knowledge level of ventilator-associated pneumonia and prevention measures after an educational programme (p < 0.05). The main reasons for not applying prevention measures were the lack of time and no followed protocols in the units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health education programmes about ventilator-associated pneumonia must be conducted among nurses in Jordan through continuous education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hospital and nursing administrators should be actively involved in educational programmes and in assuring support for continuing education. Protocol for ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention should be developed based on current evidence-based guidelines.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
authors.forename: Zeinab M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
authors.forename: Moayad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wahsheh
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000193:education*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods
keywords: Education; Evidence-based prevention measures; Intensive care units; Intervention; Jordan; Nurses; Prevention measures; Programme; Ventilator-associated pneumonia