Back ground: Sleep care is important aspect at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because
the great effect on neonatal growth and development. Aim of the study: Was to enhance nurses‟
knowledge and practice through implementing sleep care protocol at NICU. Research Design: A
quasi-experimental research design was used to conduct this study. Settings: This study was carried
out in Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Benha University Hospital and Benha Specialized Pediatric
Hospital. Subjects: A convenience sampling of 70 nurses and 70 neonates were included in this
study. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used to collect the required data. I: A structured
interview questionnaire sheet to collect nurses‟ and neonatal characteristics as well as nurses‟
knowledge about sleep care protocol. II: Observational check lists to assess nurse's practice
regarding sleep care protocol and neonatal condition during sleep. Results: This study revealed
that, total nurses‟ knowledge and practice were improved on post implementing sleep care protocol
compared by pre protocol. There was a statistically significant difference with positive correlation
between total nurses‟ knowledge and practices scores pre and post protocol. There was statistical
significant improvement of the studied neonatal condition. Conclusion: Sleep care protocol was
effective in enhancing nurses' knowledge and practices regarding sleep care protocol at NICU.
There was a statistical significant difference with positive correlation between total nurses‟
knowledge, practice scores and neonatal sleep condition pre and post protocol. Recommendations:
Continuing in service educational training programs should be conducted to nurses at NICU to
improve their knowledge and practices about sleep care protocol. |
