Knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors toward ostomy care among surgical nurses

BACKGROUND: Ostomy care is a demanding component of surgical nursing practice that requires adequate knowledge, appropriate clinical skills, and a positive professional attitude. Surgical nurses play a key role in patient education, stoma management, and prevention of ostomy-related complications. Evidence regarding nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and associated factors related to ostomy care in Sri Lanka remains limited. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices, and associated factors related to ostomy care among surgical nurses in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among registered nurses involved in ostomy care in selected tertiary care hospitals in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Nurses with a diploma, bachelor’s, or postgraduate or masters qualifications were eligible. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered, questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice related to ostomy care. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression models were applied. RESULTS: A total of 317 nurses participated, with a mean age of 33.67 years (SD = 8.11). Most participants were diploma-qualified nurses. Overall, nurses demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitudes toward ostomy care, while practice levels were predominantly moderate. Age is significantly associated with practice (p < 0.001). Participation in in-service training, exposure to ostomy care courses, and engagement with professional literature were significantly associated with higher knowledge and practice scores (p < 0.05). Regression analysis identified age, surgical ward experience, and prior ostomy care training as significant predictors of practice scores. CONCLUSIONS: Ostomy care practice among surgical nurses was mainly influenced by clinical exposure and targeted training. These findings emphasize the need for structured education and continuous professional development programmes to enhance ostomy care practices.