An assessment of nurses’ participation in Health Promotion: a knowledge, perception, and practice perspective

BACKGROUND: Health promotion (HP) at the population level serves to improve health inequalities, enhance the quality of life, and ensures the provision of healthcare and related services. Nurses at all levels are charged with the task of ensuring that patients receive HP services. However, their competence in addressing this challenge needs further exploration. This study assessed the influence of HP knowledge and perceptions in nurses’ HP practice. METHODS: The study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among 184 nurses randomly sampled from a tertiary hospital. Questions bordered on respondents’ demographics, knowledge, perception, and practice of HP. Responses were retrieved and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp, 2019. RESULTS: Analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between participants demographics and possessing adequate knowledge to provide HP services. Statistically significant relationships were found amongst the following variables: ‘A holistic knowledge of disease pathology and processes are vital for effective care of patients’ and ‘education of patients on medication’ p = 0.001, ‘awareness of importance of educating patients about their condition’ and ‘patients encouraged to engage in healthy lifestyle’ p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Data showed that nurses’ knowledge regarding HP had a strong influence on their perception of HP. Their perception of HP in turn strongly influenced their practice of the same. Therefore, rigorous efforts must be made by governmental agencies, and organizations involved in healthcare worker training and nursing accreditation, to ensure the HP curriculum is well incorporated in nursing undergraduate training and sustained in service.