Knowledge, attitude and practices of cervical spine immobilization among health care workers in trauma centers of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care on cervical spine immobilization among hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: The study design was multicenter cross sectional survey by using structured close ended sheet paper questions which was spread to HCW fulfilling the inclusion criteria working in Aabet hospital , BLH and Alert Hospital Addis Ababa.. The sample size for the study was 250 which included all HCW fulfilling the inclusion criteria in the three hospitals that were studied. Data entering, coding and clearing was performed using SPSS version 25. Frequency and cross tabulation then binary logistic regression and multivariant regression preformed to check for missed values , variables , identify clinically pertinent categorical variables associated with the dependent variable ,for association and for descriptive analyses of the data to be reported and presented as figures and tables. Result A total of 250 completed questionnaires were collected, captured, and analyzed. All questionnaires collected were complete, and none excluded from analysis about from 110 Aabet hospital, 83 were from Black Lion Hospital and 57 were from Alert hospital. And male were 166 whereas female were 84.Among the participants 113 (45.2%) were nurses, 83 (33.2%) were residents, 36(14.4%) were interns and 18(7.2%) were general practitioners. 135(54.4%) of the respondents had training on cervical collar before but around 114(45.6%) had no training. knowledge was poor among 54.0% of the respondents and was good among 46%. The attitude of the respondents was negative among 143(57.2%) and positive among 107(42.8%). The participant’s level of practice was poor among 157(62.8%) and good among 93(37.2%).Knowledge level of respondents had statically significant positive association with the work place of respondent with p-value of < 0.05(i.e0.0000) (B=1.1 and AOR=4.6) predicting that working in Aabet had a 4.6x increment in knowledge score of respondents .Attitude of respondents had statically significant positive association with p value <0.05 (i.e.0.0000 )(B=4.86 & AOR=ranges from 32.5-129.8) year of experience of respondents. The level of knowledge had statically significant association p-value<0.05(i.e.0.006) (B=0.739 & AOR=2.093) signifying that good practice had 2.1x incremental influence on the knowledge of participants. The level of attitude had statically significant association p-value<0.05(0.03)(B=0.812&AOR=2.252) with the practice of respondents reflecting good practice had 2.3x incremental influence on the attitude of the respondents. Conclusion Knowledge among respondents at different levels of education regarding collar application is poor across the board signifying the poor attention given to this subject in different courses .This study also shows the clear positive impact of practice on knowledge and practice on attitude and vice versa. Keyword: knowledge, practice , attitude ,Addis Ababa