Factors Correlated with Practices Regarding Care of Dengue Patients Among Nurses from 94 Primary Care Units in a High- Risk Province in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Background

In Thailand, primary care units (PCUs) play a part in the health assessment, diagnosis, care, basic treatment and referral of patients suffering from dengue.

Methods

In Nakhon Si Thammarat province in Thailand, we (i) undertook assessment of the personal information, experience, knowledge, attitudes, preparation of equipment and use of medical supplies of nurses in PCUs with regard to dengue patient care (DPC); (ii) analyzed the factors and practices of nurses regarding DPC; (iii) explored nurses’ opinions regarding DPC in PCUs. A cross-sectional mixed methods of collecting data consisted of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study cohort was 94 nurses from 94 PCUs in an area of high risk of dengue outbreaks. The quantitative component involved questionnaires. The qualitative component consisted of nurses’ discussions in focus groups. Spearman’s test was employed to analyze quantitative data, and thematic analyses were employed for qualitative data.

Results

Of 94 nurses from 94 PCUs, 77.7% (n = 73) had a poor knowledge level of DPC and negative attitude, preparation of equipment was carried out by 60.6% (n = 58), and 1 to 6 aspects of DPC were at good practice level: 88.3% (n = 83), 87.2% (n = 82), 85.1% (n = 80), 50.0% (n = 47), 51.1% (n = 48) and 77.7% (n = 73). There was no significant correlation (i) between the knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to DPC (P > 0.05); (ii) with practice guidelines for dengue prevention (P > 0.05). The quantitative results were related to the four main themes of the qualitative study.

Conclusion

There was a few who had good knowledge and positive attitude levels among participants, and >90% of all nurses had good practices regarding DPC. PCU nurses need training and supporting equipment to carry out a DPC program.

Keywords:

• dengue patient care
• nurse
• primary care unit
• mixed methods
• high risk of dengue

Abbreviations

BP, Blood pressure; BT, Body temperature; BI, Breteau Index; CI, Container Index; DENV, Dengue virus; DF, Dengue fever; DHF, Dengue hemorrhagic fever; DPC, Dengue patient care; DSS, Dengue shock syndrome; NSTP, Nakhon Si Thammarat province (NSTP); PCU, Primary care unit.

Data Sharing Statement

Additional data are not available.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Ethical approval and consent to participate were approved by the research board and research ethics committee of Walailak University (WUEC-18-065-01) on 12 December 2018. All participants provided written informed consent. Study data were stored safely, personal data were coded and the identities of participants remained confidential.

Consent to Publish

Not applicable.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge all the nurses in all PCUs in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. We thank the Excellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH), the Institute of Research and Development, School of Public Health and Walailak University. We also thank Supreecha Kaewsawat, Chuthamat Nopparat, Papassara Changklang, Paleeratana Wongrith, Jiraporn Jaroenpool and Nirachon Chutipattana for participating in collecting the data. We proffer special thanks to Charlesworth Author Services (Paper #: 72815) who edited the manuscript.

Author Contributions

Charuai Suwanbamrung participated in the five main criteria of authorship; Cua Ngoc Le, Phatcharaphon Phetphrom, Penpanee Kamneatdee, Nattavadee Kaewket and Orratai Nontapet participated in the following five criteria: 1) Made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas, 2) Have drafted or written, or substantially revised or critically reviewed the article, 3) Have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, 4) Reviewed and agreed on all versions of the article before submission, during revision, the final version accepted for publication, and any significant changes introduced at the proofing stage, and 5) Agree to take responsibility and be accountable for the contents of the article.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported financially by the Excellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH) and Walailak University (WU-COE-63-004).