Abstract:

Background/Aim: The increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) necessitates the timely diagnosis and treatment of patients. Knowledge of OSA is limited among student doctors and nurses. Hence, we assess the level of knowledge regarding OSA among nursing students and evaluate effectiveness of a structured teaching program on the same. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental research study, that included 90 nursing students, selected by purposive sampling. They were asked to fill out questionnaire consisting of questions regarding OSA, followed by a structured training program about OSA. They were assessed for level of knowledge regarding OSA post-test. Results: Mean knowledge score pre-test was 5.39±3.37, and post intervention was 15.9±2.45 (P =0.0001). Majority of the students (82.2%, n=74) had no prior knowledge about OSA, and none had adequate knowledge pre-test. Post-test majority had adequate knowledge (71.11%, n=64). Having prior knowledge about OSA pre-test was significantly associated with increased level of pre-test knowledge (P =0.0001). Conclusion: The knowledge of OSA among nursing students was inadequate, but the structured training program substantially increased their level of knowledge.

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