Publication Details
Abstract
Proper care of nasogastric (NG) tubes is crucial in healthcare settings, requiring nurses to possess specialized knowledge and skills to ensure accurate tube insertion, position checking, patency, and prevention of complications. This study aimed to assess nurses' knowledge regarding NG tube care and its relationship with demographic characteristics. Conducted from November 2023 to June 2024 at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq, this non-experimental cross-sectional study utilized purposive sampling to include 42 nurses. Data were collected via a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 22. Results showed significant socio-demographic differences (p<0.05), with the majority of nurses being female (69%) and aged 25-29 years (81%). Although all participants had nursing degrees, 57.1% had less than three years of experience. The study found moderate knowledge of NG tube care, with no significant relationship between nurses' knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics except for age and experience. The findings highlight a knowledge gap despite moderate NG tube care practices, suggesting the need for enhanced training and educational programs.