Attitude and perception of nurses towards implementation and utilization of nursing audit in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Nursing audit is a quality assurance tool in nursing care. The study aims to assess the attitude and perception of nurses towards the implementation and utilisation of Nursing Audit (NA) at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State.

Materials and Methods: The Theory of Planned Behaviour by Icek Ajzen guided the study framework using a descriptive cross sectional design. A total of 280 consenting nurses across all departments of UUTH were selected via simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire addressing three research questions captured data on socio-demographic characteristics, attitude, perception, and barriers to Nursing audit implementation. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics.

Results: The majority of respondents were female nurses (236,84.2%), aged 31-40 years (110,39.3%), with (120,42.9%) holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While (237,84.6%) acknowledged that Nursing audit helps identify areas for improvement in services (189,67.4%) resisted Nursing audit when not well informed, (211,75.4%) viewed Nursing audit as increased workload (174,62.2%), and considered it a waste of time. Also, (238,85%) agreed that Nursing audit fosters transparency and accountability, and (266,95%) affirmed it promotes evidence-based practice. Conversely, 182, 65% lacked the skills to conduct audits, and 196,70% felt it diverts attention from patient care. Limited resources (203,72.1%), insufficient time (168, 59.7%), and fear of criticism (182,65%) were the principal barriers to Nursing audit implementation and utilisation. Notably, 186,66.7% reported using the nursing process in patient management.

Conclusion and Recommendation: The study identified varied attitudes and perceptions of nurses towards nursing audit, with predominantly positive perceptions of its value for quality care but significantly negative attitudes toward its implementation. Limited resources, increased workload, fear of criticism, and poor awareness were barriers to its implementation and utilisation. Therefore, structured orientation programs to improve awareness and competence in nursing audit, while providing adequate resources to facilitate its effective implementation and utilisation by the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Management, is imperative.