부산대학교 도서관

The purpose of this study was to investigate nurses' knowledge, awareness, and confidence in relation to oral health care and compare them according to clinical departments. A questionnaire was distributed to 435 nurses who worked at four hospitals. Data were collected from July 2018 to August 2018. The questionnaire evaluated their levels of knowledge, awareness, and confidence regarding oral health care and their levels of evidence-based knowledge regarding oral health. The levels were measured by a percentage scale (0-100%) and compared among departments using an ANNOVA. A total of 351 nurses (male, n=20; female, n=331) responded to the questionnaire. The average percentages for knowledge, awareness, and confidence were 48%, 76%, and 54%, respectively. The average percentages for knowledge regarding oral bacteria categories were low (36-75%), while the average percentages for knowledge regarding the nutrition and oral function categories were high (69-84%). In comparison to nurses in other departments, the levels of knowledge, awareness, and confidence among nurses in the palliative care department were more likely to be high. The levels of knowledge regarding oral bacteria and confidence in the performance of oral health care were low among nurses. There were significant differences of knowledge, awareness, and confidence regarding oral health care among clinical departments. Thus, it is suggested that an oral health care educational program, which takes into account those problems identified in the present study, should be developed.