| Summary |
The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of maternity nurses about the use of nipple stimulation for contraction stress testing (CST). Nipple stimulation is a new technique for CST which involves self-manipulation of the breast, a procedure some patients and health care professionals may find embarrassing. Three groups (N=36) of labor and delivery nurses were asked to respond to a knowledge/attitude questionnaire developed by the investigator. Demographic Information was also requested from the respondents. The demographic analysis indicated that the sample was mostly young, white, married, and with relatively few years of experience in labor and delivery. Most of the sample (89%) had heard about the use of nipple stimulation for CST, though less than half (42%) had actually conducted a CST using this technique. The findings of the study demonstrated that the group had a fairly positive attitude toward the use of nipple stimulation. The group also possessed some knowledge of the technique, gained primarily through on-the-job experience (58.3%) and from the literature (55.6%) . Nurses from the one hospital (n=7) where nipple stimulation was routinely used, scored consistently higher on every scale (significantly different, p [less-than-or-equal-to] .05, on alI scales except evaluative subscale) than did nurses from the other two hospitals. Nurses who reported having used nipple stimulation in the past also scored higher on all scales than those who did not (n=15 , p [less-than-or-equal-to] .05). Knowledge was found to correlate significantly with attitude on all but one scale, the evaluative subscale. Of the demographic variables, significant differences in knowledge and attitudes were found among the nurses in relation to whether the hospital used the technique, experience with nipple stimulation. Those who had heard about nipple stimulation for CST differed from those who had not on only one scale, the knowIedge scaIe. Conclusions drawn from the study were that labor and delivery nurses, generally, have positive attitudes about the use of nipple stimulation for CST. Furthermore, nurses more experienced with the technique have greater knowledge and more favorable attitudes. Age, education, and experience were not found to be responsible for significant differences among the nurses with regard to attitudes and knowledge about nipple stimulation. Several implications for practice and education may be drawn from this study. These include: encouraging nurses who may conduct nippIe stimuIation CSTs to examine their attitudes; implementing standard protocols and continuing education courses in all hospitals where nipple stimulation is used, and, including content related to nipple stimulation In nursing courses and textbooks. |
