RESUMO
Background: The theory-practice gap can be described as a lack of ability to relate the knowledge acquired in academics and research work with practice. This study aims to assess the knowledge and the perception of Nigerian nurses on the theory-practice gap in Nursing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was carried out with a sample of 196 nurses who were working in the Federal Medical Centre Keffi and Aminu Kano Teaching hospital in Kano, all from the northern part of Nigeria, from April to June 2019. The participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique, where a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect the data and analysis was undertaken using SPSS. Results: The results of this study showed that 83.80% of respondents had good knowledge and 89.10% of the respondents had good perceptions. The levels of knowledge were significantly different in correlation with the educational level of respondents (χ2 = 13.88, df = 6, p = 0.022), which was determined using a Fischer exact test. Also, the level of perception was significantly different when considering the nature of work participants undertook (X2 = 7.65, df = 2, p = 0.022). Conclusions: Given the participants' awareness and perceptions in this study, it is clear that they are well informed of the theory-practice gap. This is a call for all professionals at an individual and organizational level to work, as it will translate into gap minimization, thereby increasing the quality of health care delivery as nurses constitute the largest part of the health care team in Nigeria.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The emergence and spread of Ebola outbreak is a growing problem worldwide, which represents a significant threat to public health. Evidence has shown that the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of people in the society play major roles in controlling the spread of Ebola virus disease. This study was designed to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of students at School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences towards Ebola. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed in Tehran, Iran in 2014 using a pretested self-administered questionnaire on a stratified sample of 400 students. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: All-in-all, 385 students returned the completed questionnaires making a response rate of 96.3%., 239 (62.2%) were females and 145 (37.8%) were males. The mean age of female and males were 28.44 and 30.3 years respectively. Of the 385 students, 83 (21.7%) were studying at PhD level, 210 (55.0%) at Masters Level (including MPH) and 89 (23.3%) at Bachelors level. knowledge of the students regarding EVD transmission was lowest among students of Department of Occupational Health (50.0%), followed by Health Education and Promotion Department (33.3%). Virology Department recorded the highest percentage of students who had selected correct answers regarding EVD prevention (100.0%). CONCLUSION: These findings will aid in the assessment of the adequacy of current students' educational curriculum. Also, it will provide further insight in designing future multifaceted interventions to promote specific messages to change attitude and improve practice.
