Knowledge, Perception and Attitude of Mental Health Nurses towards Electroconvulsive Therapy in Two Neuropsychiatric Hospitals, South-West, Nigeria

Abstract:

This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perception of mental health nurses toward electroconvulsive therapy in two neuropsychiatric hospitals in South-West, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to survey 374 mental health nurses working in the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, and Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba. Data collected through questionnaires were     analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that 282(75.3%) of nurses demonstrated high knowledge of ECT Mean = 16.13 (SD = 2.96) , 191(51.0%) had moderate perceptions with Mean = 56.18 (SD = 8.31) and 274(73.2%) reporting favorable attitudes Mean = 27.38 (SD = 4.55).     Knowledge showed a significant positive correlation with perception (r = 0.32, p > 0.05) and attitude (r = 0.39, p > 0.05). Years of work experience were insignificant to attitude (F(193) = 0.98, p < 0.05). The study concluded that nurses demonstrated high knowledge, moderate perception, and positive attitudes toward ECT. These findings provide evidence for continuous training to strengthen the quality of ECT practice in psychiatry.