Assess the Knowledge of Staff Nurses Regarding Obstetric Emergencies in a Selected Hospital, Salem, Tamilnadu

Background: Obstetric emergencies are life threatening medical conditions that occur in pregnancy or during or after delivery or labour and it is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity which comprises 46% of maternal mortality in world wide. The active and appropriate management by health care personnel may lead to decrease mortality.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to quantify the level of knowledge regarding obstetric emergency among the staff nurses

Research design and approach: Non experimental, descriptive research design with cross sectional survey approach was used for the present study.

Setting: The study was conducted in Vinayaka Mission's Kirupanada Variyar Medical College Hospital, Salem, Tamilnadu.

Sample size and technique: 48 staff nurses who were working in the Vinayaka Mission's Kirupanada Variyar Medical College Hospital were selected by Convenient sampling technique.

Instrument used: Level of knowledge was measured by using structured questionnaire developed by the researcher.

Major findings: Major findings reveals that highest percentage (71%) of the staff nurses were in the age group of <25 years, Almost all (98%) were diploma holders, Most (86%) of them had below 5 years of experience, Around 50% had 1-2 years of experience in labour ward. Overall mean knowledge score of the staff nurses was (40.1±7.3), which is 42.66% of the total score revealing average level of knowledge. No significant association was found between the knowledge score and demographic variables of the staff nurses.