Assessment of Intensive Care Nurses’ Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practices for Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Duhok City

Amar Khalid Saber; Khalid  Mohammed Saber; Salar Omar Abdulqadir

doi:10.15218/ejnm.2026.07

Authors

Amar Khalid Saber Department Pediatric Nursing, College of Health and Medical Techniques\Shekhan, Duhok Polytechnic University, Kurdistan Region, Duhok, Iraq
Khalid Mohammed Saber Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Duhok, Iraq .
Salar Omar Abdulqadir Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Raparin, Rania, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq .

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15218/ejnm.2026.07

Keywords:

Knowledge, Nurse, Critical Care Unit, Ventilator-related Pneumonia

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: A common hospital-acquired illness that affects patients who are seriously ill from mechanical ventilation and intubation is ventilator-related pneumonia. A lack of understanding may limit nurses’ adherence to evidence-based guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of those nurses who are working in the intensive care unit about mechanical ventilator-related pneumonia prevention.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the 144 intensive care nurses’ units of major hospitals in Duhok City from 1 June through 31 December in 2025. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire consisting of 4 demographic items and 17 knowledge-based questions adapted from a validated tool and supplemented by researcher-developed items. Independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression were used in conducting inferential analysis.

Results: A total of 114 intensive care unit nurses were involved in the study; the majority of the participants were female (64.0%), and most of them had bachelor’s degrees (81.6%). In terms of overall knowledge about the prevention of ventilator-related pneumonia, 61.40% of participants in the present study were found to have poor knowledge (their scores were below 60).

Conclusions: Participants with higher degrees and those who had finished ICU training programs showed greater knowledge. These results point out the need for ongoing education, ICU-specific training, and frequent refresher courses to enhance nurses' skills and expertise. Patient safety, the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and the standard of care in intensive care units can all be improved by strengthening nursing education, implementing standardized ventilator -associated pneumonia prevention guidelines, and encouraging advanced training.

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