AWARENESS AND PRACTICE OF CAREGIVERS REGARDING PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONS IN TRACTION PATIENT

Sarita Panta*, Rita Kumari Ban, Bimala Pandey and Asmita Dhital

ABSTRACT

Traction is used to minimize muscle spasm, align and immobilize fractures to reduce deformity and to space between opposing surfaces. The study was conducted to find out awareness and practice of the care givers regarding prevention of complications in traction patients. Descriptive survey design was used in the study. The study was conducted in National Trauma Center, Kathmandu. The population of the study was the care givers of the traction patient who provided at least 24 hours care to the patient i.e 96. They were selected using non probability purposive technique. The semi structured interview schedule was applied to measure the awareness and practice of the respondents. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20 software program by descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation and inferential statistics like chi-square test. Majority (63.5%) of the respondents had moderate level of awareness. Similarly, less than half (46.9%) of the respondents had high level of practice. There was association between level of awareness and respondent’s age (p=0.00), and education (p=0.001). There was also association between level of practice and respondent’s age (p=0.00), education (p=0.00) and occupation (p=0.001). There was association between level of awareness and level of practice (p=0.001). The study concluded that effective health education programs should be implemented to increase awareness of caregivers before and during the application of traction to the patient.

Keywords: Care givers, Traction patient, Awareness, Practice.