Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Associated Factors Towards Sedation Among Nurses Working in Intensive Care Units of Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundSedation is an important component of intensive care unit management. It is a sleep-like state where patients are generally unaware of surroundings. The levels of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding sedation in the intensive care unit were not studied as a multicentre study in the Amhara National Regional State.MethodsA hospital-based multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted. The data were collected using survey with a self-administered structured close-ended questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses towards sedation.ResultThe overall proportions of good levels of knowledge towards sedation in the ICU among nurses were 60.4% (CI = 53.8%–67%). The overall proportions of good levels of attitude towards sedation in the ICU among nurses were 69.8% (CI = 63.4%–75.6%). Furthermore, the proportions of adequate practice were 74.5% (CI = 68.5–80.3). Having a master’s degree (AOR = 8.9, CI = 3.5–22.7), receiving training towards sedation (AOR = 5.4, CI = 1.5–19.5), having a written protocol (AOR = 6.7, CI = 2.18–20.13) and having critical care certification (AOR = 9.9, CI = 2.93–46.92), respectively, were associated with a higher level of knowledge. Similarly, having a master’s degree (AOR = 4.3, CI = 2.2–12.4), receiving training towards sedation (AOR = 4.4, CI = 2.1–14.3) and having critical care certification (AOR = 6.6, CI = 2.5–10.7) were associated with a higher level of attitude. Receiving training towards sedation (AOR = 8.3, CI = 4.7–17.2), total work experience > 7 years and ICU work experience > 7 years were associated with a higher level of practice.ConclusionThis study emphasizes that increased sedation-related knowledge, attitude and practice among ICU nurses are largely driven by institutional and professional variables, especially training, the availability of sedation protocols and having critical care certification. The results highlight the necessity of bolstering professional certification, protocol-based care and structured training programmes to enhance the uniformity and calibre of sedation management in intensive care units. It is probably more effective to address these issues at the system level than to concentrate only on individual expertise.