Knowledge and Attitude of Staff Nurses at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Towards Nursing Anaesthesia Programme

Abstract

Background: Nursing anaesthesia is a specialized field of nursing practice that plays a vital role in the delivery of safe perioperative care. Despite the increasing demand for nurse anaesthetists in Nigeria, enrollment into the nursing anaesthesia programme remains low. Understanding nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers to enrollment is essential for developing strategies to strengthen the anaesthesia workforce. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of staff nurses towards the nursing anaesthesia programme and identify factors influencing enrollment at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 261 staff nurses selected using a total enumeration sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire comprising sections on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, perceived barriers to enrollment, and suggested strategies for improving enrollment. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while Chi-square tests were employed to examine the relationships between age and awareness and between gender and willingness to enroll. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Respondents demonstrated a high level of awareness of the nursing anaesthesia programme, with 92.0% correctly identifying it as a nursing specialty. Overall, 88.1% exhibited a positive attitude and willingness to enroll in the programme. Respondents perceived nursing anaesthesia as offering opportunities for professional advancement, independent and collaborative practice, and improved remuneration. Financial constraints (36.4%), lack of flexible entry pathways (24.5%), distance to training institutions (13.0%), and family-related responsibilities (11.1%) were the leading barriers to enrollment. Preference for locally available specialty programmes (54.8%) was identified as the principal reason for the low number of nurse anaesthetists. Respondents strongly supported expanding training institutions, providing financial assistance, upgrading the programme to a master’s degree, and strengthening mentorship and clinical exposure as strategies for improving enrollment. A statistically significant relationship was observed between age and awareness (χ² = 30.12, df = 9, p < 0.05), whereas no significant relationship was found between gender and willingness to enroll (χ² = 6.82, df = 6, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Staff nurses demonstrated high awareness and positive attitudes towards the nursing anaesthesia programme; however, enrollment remains constrained by financial, institutional, and accessibility barriers. Strengthening financial support, expanding training opportunities, improving awareness, and implementing supportive institutional policies may enhance enrollment and contribute to addressing the shortage of nurse anaesthetists in Nigeria. Keywords: Nursing Anaesthesia Programme, Knowledge, Attitude, Enrollment, Nurse Anaesthetists, Nigeria.