Electrocardiography Interpretation Competency and associated factors among nurses working in cardiac centers of selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Date
2023-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Electrocardiographic interpretation abilities are essential for healthcare practitioners
who provide cardiac assessments to patients. However, there is inconclusive evidence on the level
of electrocardiography interpretation competency and associated factors among nurses working in
selected public cardiac centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess electrocardiography interpretation competency and associated factors among
nurses working in selected public cardiac centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Material and Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed from
March 2023 through May 2023 in selected public cardiac centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The
study participants were selected according to the unit they were currently working on, using simple
random sampling technique. This sampling technique included 172 participants. The data was
collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire to describe statistics frequency of
using ECG machine, frequency of asking for help were used. For inferential statistics bivariate and
multiple logistic regressions were used. The data were entered, cleaned, edited and analyzed by
using SPSS software application. As a measure of association, it used the adjusted odds ratio and
a 95% confidence interval.
Results: In this study, the overall percentage of ECG interpretation incompetency was 54.1%
(95% CI: 47.1-61.6%) (mean score <65%). The identified associated factors were a lack of ECG
training (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 2.03, 14.22), not using self-learning methods for ECG
interpretation (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.40, 5.11), having less than five years of experience (AOR
= 1.16, 95% CI = 1.16 (1.12, 2.21), and inadequate ECG classes (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.14,
2.59).
Conclusions: This study found that study participants' ECG comprehension capabilities
(competencies) were often inadequate and raised distressing concerns. Lack of ECG training, not
using self-learning methods for ECG interpretation, having less than five years of experience
(service), and inadequate ECG classes were the identified modifiable factors that reduced ECG
interpretation competence. Thus, the focus of any action should be on each of the identified
relevant factors in order to improve ECG interpretation competency.
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Keywords
Cardiac center, Electrocardiography Interpretation, competency