The Efficacy of Implementing Nursing guidelines on Chronic Pruritus among Elderly Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Clinical demonstrator in the Department of Geriatric Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt

2 Lecturer of Geriatric Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt

3 Assistant Professor of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt

4 Professor of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Chronic pruritus is a common complaint among elderly patients. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of implementing nursing guidelines on chronic pruritus among elderly patients. Methods: Design: Quasiexperimental research Design was used for this study. Setting: The study was carried out at the outpatient clinics of the department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology at Sohag University Hospital and outpatient clinics of dermatology at Sohag General Hospital. Sample: The study included purposive sample of 80 elderly patients with chronic pruritus during six months (42 experimental & 38 control). Tools: Two tools were used to collect data, the first tool was:- Interview questionnaire for personal characteristics & the second tool was:- the 5-D itch scale for assessing severity of pruritus among elderly patients. Results: Half of the studied elderly patients were females, the majority of the studied sample had unsatisfactory knowledge, pre-implementation of nursing guidelines. After applying the nursing guidelines, there were statistically significant higher level of knowledge score & the total score of 5 D itching scale in the experimental group as compared to the control groups. Conclusion: Nursing guidelines have significant positive impact on improving patient's knowledge and reducing severity of chronic pruritus among elderly patients. Recommendations: Elderly patients have to be educated about pruritus, risk factors and methods of prevention.

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