Analysis of the factors related to the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses towards intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a cross-sectional survey

Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is a common neuromuscular complication among patients in the ICU. The short-term consequences include muscle weakness, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and prolonged hospitalization, and the long-term consequences include increased patient comorbidities, increased hospitalization costs, and a higher disease burden. However, few studies have examined ICU nurses’ KAP regarding ICU-acquired weakness, particularly in the context of Chinese tertiary hospitals. Therefore, it is important to understand the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ICU-AW among ICU nurses. This is an exploratory cross-sectional study conducted without prespecified directional hypotheses. Through this study, we aim to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ICU nurses with respect to ICU-AW. The findings will provide a reference for hospitals to manage or prevent ICU-AW. From January 2023 to February 2023, a survey involving 208 ICU nurses (recruited through convenience sampling) in Shiyan area was conducted. The survey included a general information questionnaire and the ICU-AW Knowledge and Attitudes Practices Questionnaire. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 32.29 ± 4.50, 34.64 ± 4.81, and 30.41 ± 7.47, respectively. The multiple linear regression showed that hospital level and nurses’ marital status independently related to the knowledge and practices of ICU nurses around ICU-AW (both P < 0.05). The linear regression equation was as follows: Y = 91.736 − 6.373 × hospital level − 4.119 × marital status ( F = 11.349, R 2 = 0.101, adjusted R 2 = 0.092). The overall knowledge and practice levels of ICU nurses with respect to ICU-AW was moderate, and was associated with hospital level and marital status. The findings of this exploratory study provide preliminary evidence and testable hypotheses for subsequent prospective or interventional studies. Not applicable