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Barriers and facilitators in the acquisition of diabetes knowledge among tertiary-care nurses in central and southern Malawi: an exploratory-descriptive qualitative study

Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Numerous studies report low diabetes knowledge among nurses in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the factors that hinder and promote their acquisition of knowledge on diabetes mellitus. Understanding these factors is a pivotal step towards ensuring that nurses are knowledgeable and competent in the provision of care and education for patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The study employed an exploratory-descriptive qualitative (EDQ) approach. Participants were identified from two tertiary hospitals. Twenty-six participants were purposively selected from these facilities. Data were collected through focus group discussions and analysis was done using Braun and Clarke's approach to thematic analysis. RESULTS: The following themes relating to barriers and facilitators in the nurses' acquisition of diabetes knowledge emerged from the study: (a) individual hindrances; (b) organizational drawbacks; (c) personal ways of knowing; (d) organizational factors enhancing knowledge; and (e) suggestions for improving the nurses' knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The study brings to light various challenges and opportunities in the acquisition of diabetes knowledge among tertiary-care nurses in Malawi. Given our study results, we believe that cost-effective measures can be utilised to address the barriers to the acquisition of diabetes knowledge among nurses. This is a crucial step towards ensuring that nurses are knowledgeable and competent in the provision of care for patients with diabetes in low-resource countries.
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-12081-x
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W4405543461
FWCI: 1.081
Cites: 61
Cited by: 4
Related to: 10