Assessment of pediatric residents’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding oxygen therapy and its complications at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Oxygen therapy is beneficial, but too much of it or any oxygen therapy errors could be dangerous. Proper knowledge, appropriate practice, and favorable attitudes are important aspects of treatment. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pediatric residents about oxygen therapy, its complications, and associated factors.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatric residents at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and  St. Paul Hospital, Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from June to August 2021. using a self-administered questionnaire. Level of knowledge, attitude, and practice was grouped by Bloom’s original cut-off points. A multinomial logistic regression model was fitted to identify significant predictor variables at a 5% level of significance.

Results: Of 141 pediatric residents who responded, this study found 17.7%, 40.4%, and 19.1% prevalence of good knowledge, attitude, and practice, respectively. On the chi-square test, the total duration of service as a general practitioner and the year of residency were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude (P values = 0.027 and 0.037, respectively). Residents' knowledge level and year of residency were found to be independently associated with oxygen administration practice. The odds of residents with good knowledge having good practice than poor practice is 8 times (adjusted odds ratio: 7.90, 95% CI 1.15-45.25, P-value =0.035) higher than residents with poor knowledge levels and year of residency was also a significant predictor of practice level (adjusted odds ratio: 0.24, 95% CI 0.06-0.94, P-value =0.042).

Conclusions: - The majority of participants had a positive attitude and had moderate to inadequate knowledge of oxygen administration. Their practice, on the other hand, was generally poor. Regular education and training in oxygen administration can help them improve their knowledge.