Nurses' behavioural intentions towards intravenous fluid administration for pediatric patients: Application of the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

Background: For pediatric patients, the demand for quality and safe Intravenous Fluid (IVF) therapy is huge. This is because, compared to adults, children have a lower tolerance for IVF therapy errors and present devastating phys iological responses to errors. Nurses play a vital role in IVF administration; therefore, adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, positive perceived behavioural control, and good behavioural intentions are required to achieve effective and successful therapy, patient safety and prevention of complications, and overall positive patient outcomes. This study sought to assess the behaviour of nurses towards IVF administration for pediatric patients. Method: A cross-sectional facility-based study was designed and randomly recruited 112 nurses. The theory of planned behaviour was used as a conceptual framework to assess nurses' behavioural intentions towards IVF ad ministration for pediatric patients. Mean scores and their respective standard deviations, reliability tests, explor atory factor analysis, and linear logistic regression were all performed using SPSS version 27, with the level of significance set at 0.05. Results: Nurses' behavioural intentions for IVF administration for pediatric patients were influenced by their knowledge of standards and protocols for IVF use (β = 0.320; p = 0.01), attitudes (β = 0.339; p = 0.006) subjec tive norms (β 0.240; p = 0.003) and perceived behavioural control (β = 0.26; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Nurses' behavioural intentions for IVF administration were significantly influenced by their knowledge of procedures and standards for IVF administration. Additionally, the nurses' subjective norms, perceived behav ioural control, and attitude towards IVF administration have a significant effect on their behavioural intentions to administer IVFs to pediatric patients. For nurses to administer IVF effectively, safely, and successfully to pediatric patients, there is a need to enhance their knowledge of standards and guidelines for IVF administration. The nurses need to have good attitudes and positive support and influence from all others to be able to administer IVFs safely and successfully to their pediatric patients.