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Special Features - Education
An Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge of Botulism
Article first published online: 15 NOV 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2011.00988.x
© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Additional Information
How to Cite
Bork, C. E. and Rega, P. P. (2012), An Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge of Botulism. Public Health Nursing, 29: 168–174. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2011.00988.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 28 FEB 2012
- Article first published online: 15 NOV 2011
- Manuscript Accepted: 1 SEP 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 26 AUG 2011
- Manuscript Received: 27 MAY 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- bioterrorism;
- emergency preparedness;
- food-borne illness;
- public health nursing education
Abstract
Objective
To assess nurses’ knowledge of botulism, a Centers for Disease Control Category A bioterrorism agent, one case of which constitutes an emergency.
Design
The study utilized survey research.
Sample
The cluster sample included 1,414 registered nurses.
Measure
The survey gathered demographic data and nurses’ knowledge of the background, manifestation and management of botulism.
Results
The mean percentage of correct answers for the sample was 25.95%, with a standard deviation (SD) of ±19.89%. Only 90 (6.3%) achieved 60% or more correct. Educational preparation, experience, specialty/area of practice and whether nurses had a class in disaster medicine were also examined and although differences were noted, none of these factors accounted for a score of 60% or above.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate the need for an assessment of the current education nurses receive about botulism.