Nurses’ therapeutic nutrition knowledge: A cross-sectional survey in Yemen

Introduction: Nutrition plays a critical role in improving the health of individuals struggling with chronic conditions. Nurses have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality through effective nutritional counselling and advice. This study aimed to assess level of nurses’ therapeutic nutrition knowledge and factors influencing their knowledge levels. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2023 and February 2024 at two public hospitals in Taiz Governorate, Yemen, using self-administered questionnaire. A convenience sample of 207 nurses participated in the study. The questionnaire comprised two sections: demographic data and 31 items assessing nurses’ therapeutic nutrition knowledge, divided into diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Results: Total scores for nurses’ therapeutic nutrition knowledge ranged from 2 to 23, with mean total score of 14.43 out of 31 (46.5%). Only 13 out of 31 items were answered correctly by more than 50.0% of nurses, while eight items were answered incorrectly by over 80.0% of nurses. Only 35.5% of nurses had satisfactory knowledge, while 64.5% had unsatisfactory knowledge. Mean scores for therapeutic nutrition knowledge regarding diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases were 2.82 out of 5 (56.4%), 4.17 out of 9 (46.3%), and 7.44 out of 17 (43.8%), respectively. Conclusion: The findings revealed low level of nutrition knowledge among nurses, emphasising a critical gap that must be addressed. Integrating comprehensive nutrition content into nursing curricula and implementing targeted education can bridge this gap. Enhancing nurses’ knowledge will improve patient outcomes and support broader public health goals through more effective nutrition policies.