Predictors of Pressure Ulcer Prevention Practices Among Nurses Caring for Bedridden Patients Across Teaching Hospitals in North Central Nigeria

Pressure ulcers remain a major healthcare challenge among bedridden patients and are widely recognized as indicators of quality nursing care and patient safety. Despite advances in preventive nursing interventions, pressure ulcers continue to occur in healthcare institutions due to several individual and institutional factors affecting nurses’ preventive practices. This study investigated the predictors of pressure ulcer prevention practices among nurses caring for bedridden patients across teaching hospitals in North-Central Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey design. The population comprised registered nurses working in units caring for bedridden patients in teaching hospitals across the zone, while a sample size of 147 nurses was selected for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by experts, while reliability was established using Cronbach Alpha reliability method with an overall reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Findings revealed that nurses possessed good knowledge regarding pressure ulcer prevention and demonstrated positive attitudes toward pressure ulcer prevention. The study further revealed that nurses exhibited relatively good pressure ulcer prevention practices. Institutional and resource related factors such as workload, staff shortage, inadequate nurse-patient ratio, and availability of equipment significantly influenced preventive practices. The findings also showed significant relationships between knowledge and prevention practices, institutional factors and prevention practices, as well as attitudes and prevention practices. Multiple regression analysis revealed that attitude was the strongest predictor of pressure ulcer prevention practices (46%), followed by knowledge (41%) and institutional factors (33%), with all predictors contributing significantly to the model (p < .001). The study concluded that effective pressure ulcer prevention among bedridden patients depends on nurses’ knowledge, positive attitudes, and supportive institutional environments. The study recommended continuous professional education, provision of pressure relieving devices, improved staffing, and strengthening of institutional support systems to enhance pressure ulcer prevention practices among nurses.