Assessment of Nutritional Knowledge in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Cross-sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v16i03.004Abstract
Background: Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are encountered a myriad of dietary complexities, stemming from altered energy expenditure, metabolic variations, digestive concerns, susceptibility to pressure ulcers, and apprehensions regarding bone health. Despite the paramount significance of nutrition within this demographic, a gap persists in the availability of tailored educational programs for SCI patients. Existing literature underscores the profound impact that heightened nutritional awareness can have on the overall health outcomes of individuals with SCI. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the nutritional management knowledge of spinal cord injury patients to better understand their dietary comprehension and associated factors. Methods: Employing a descriptive, cross-sectional design, a purposive sample of 30 SCI patients was surveyed at the Ibn AL-Kuff Hospital in Baghdad City for Spinal Cord Injuries. A self-report questionnaire comprising 20 true/false/I don't know questions was utilised to assess patients' knowledge across various nutritional management domains. Data analysis involved frequency, mean, standard deviation calculations, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that gender and marital status did not significantly impact patients' nutritional knowledge levels (p-values of 0.92 and 0.74, respectively), suggesting minimal influence of these demographic factors on SCI patients' understanding of nutritional management. Conclusions: The study indicates a notable deficiency in nutritional management knowledge among SCI patients, potentially predisposing them to nutritional challenges. While gender and marital status seem insignificant, demographic variables like age, education level, occupation, and income play pivotal roles in shaping patients' nutritional understanding. Tailored educational initiatives, healthcare professional involvement, regular nutritional evaluations, and easily accessible information are recommended to enhance nutritional management knowledge among SCI patients.
Keywords:
Knowledge, Nutritional Management, Patients, Spinal Cord InjuryDownloads
References
Abdel Aziz, S. Z., Dawood, S. N., & Al-khalisy, M. H. (2023). Evaluation of the effect of type II diabetes mellitus on bone mineral density of upper and lower limbs by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Journal of the Faculty of Medicine Baghdad, 65(1), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6511980
Abdullah, M. K., Abdulghani, M. F.., Ibrahim, R., Mahmood, H. J.., Mohsen, O. A.., & Jassim, R. S. (2024). Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices Concerning Evidence-Based Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study. The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN), 15(4), 4-11. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2024.v15i04.002
Al-Alwany, A. A., & Mansour, M. A. (2022). Focus Assessment of Transthoracic Echocardiography post septostomy Procedure in Patients Undergoing Ablation of Left Atrial Supraventricular Tachycardia. Journal of the Faculty of Medicine Baghdad, 64(3), 123-127. https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6431949
Al-Fayyadh, S., Al-Jubouri, M. B., AL-Hadrawi, H., Jaafar, S. A., & Hussein, S. M. (2022). Health Literacy-Related Knowledge and Experience among Nurses Practicing in Medical-Surgical Wards. Nurse Media Journal of Nursing, 12(1), 24-31. https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v12i1.42697
Al-Jowari, S.A. (2022). Effect of Spices Mixture on Blood Glucose and Lipids Profile in Experimentally- Induced Oxidative Stress Female Rabbits, Iraqi Journal of Science. 53(2), 279-284. Retrieved from: https://www.iraqoaj.net/iasj/download/879c0732df9e2fb7, Accessed on 14th January, 2024.
Al-Mayahi, A. M. M., Al-Jubouri, M. B., & Jaafar, S. A. (2023). Healthy lifestyle behaviours and risk of cardiovascular diseases among nursing faculty during COVID-19 Pandemic. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 76. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0372
Al-Nbabteh, K. E.., Al-Qaaneh, A. M., E. Al-Shatnawi, F.., Abdullah, F. O.., Hudhud, H. N.., & Al-Kharabsheh, M. S. (2024). Medication Calculations Competency among Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study. The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN), 16(2), 136-149. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2024.v16i02.014
Ameen, K. J. & Hussein, H. A. (2023) Impact of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Climate in Medical Organizations. Rawal Medical Journal, 48 (4), 1035-1038. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/rmj.20230613082042
Berkman, N. D., Sheridan, S. L., Donahue, K. E., Halpern, D. J., & Crotty, K. (2022) Low health literacy and health outcomes: an updated systematic review. Annals of internal medicine, 155(2), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-2-201107190-0000
Bigford, G. E., Betancourt, L. F., Charlifue, S., & Nash, M. S. (2023). Therapeutic Lifestyle Intervention Targeting Enhanced Cardiometabolic Health and Function for Persons with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury in Caregiver/Care-Receiver Co-Treatment: A Study Protocol of a Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19). Https://Doi.Org/10.3390/Ijerph20196819
Buchholz, A. C., & Pencharz, P. B. (2018) Energy expenditure in chronic spinal cord injury. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 7(6), 635–639. https://doi.org/10.1097/00075197-200411000-00008
Farkas, G. J., Sneij, A., & Gater, D. R. (2021) Dietetics after spinal cord injury: current evidence and future perspectives. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 27(1), 100–108. https://doi.org/10.46292/sci20-00031
Gelalis, I. D., Papanastasiou, E. I., & Pakos, E. E. (2019). Clinical outcomes after lumbar spine microdiscectomy: A 5-year follow-up prospective study in 100 patients. European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 29(2), 321–327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-018-2359-8
Gitti, S. A., Khalaf, R. Z., & Alrubaie, A. (2023). The effect of melatonin on body weight and the potential use of melatonin as an anti-obesity agent. AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 19(2), 156-162. https://doi.org/10.47723/kcmj.v19i2.925
Hamad, Z., & Qassim, W. (2019). Effectiveness of an educational program in enhancing nurses’ knowledge about occupational health hazards. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties. 32(2), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v32i2.331
Hassan, N. A., & Alwan, I. H. (2023). The predictive role of sociodemographic factors in nurses’ psychological hardiness. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 36(1), 35–47. https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v36i1.785
Hattab, W A., Kadhim, AJ., & Abdulwahhab, MM. (2020) Impact of years’ experience upon nurses’ knowledge and practice concerning infection control at critical care units in Baghdad City. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,15(1), 2564- 2568. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i1.13785
Kamil, A H. & Hattab, W A. (2023) Evaluation of nurses’ knowledge and performance toward physical restraint at critical care units. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 36(1), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v36i1.686
Khasanah, U., Keliat, B. A., & Mulyono, S. (2024). Analysing the concept of self-efficacy in mothers of children aged 0–24 months undergoing nutritional care practices. The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 16(2), 270–283. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2024.v16i02.026
Khudhayer, H. F., & Adulwahhab, M. M. (2023). The evaluation of nurses' practices regarding electronic nursing documentation. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 36(1), 1-7.https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v36i1.646
Kim, M. J., Park, J. E., & Park, J. H. (2023). Associations of healthy eating behavior with mental health and health-related quality of life: results from the Korean national representative survey. Nutrients, 15(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15245111
LaVela, S. L., Wu, J., Nevedal, A. L., Frayne, S. M., Harris, A. H. S., Arnow, K. D., Davis, K., Farkas, G. J., Reyes, L., & Eisenberg, D. (2024). Nutrition and eating beliefs and behaviors among individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders: Healthy or misconceived? Rehabilitation Psychology. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rep0000544
Lohr, S. L. (2019). Sampling: Design and analysis (2nd ed.). Chapman and Hall/CRC, New York. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429296284
López-Hernández, L., Martínez-Arnau, F. M., Pérez-Ros, P., Drehmer, E., & Pablos, A. (2020) Improved nutritional knowledge in the obese adult population modifies eating habits and serum and anthropometric markers. Nutrients,12 (11). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113355
Majeed, H. M., Hassan, A. F., Jasim, A. H. & Al-Ganmi, A. H. A. (2023). Evaluation of Nurses’ practices and perceived barriers related to pain assessment in critically ill patients at Baghdad Teaching Hospitals. Azerbaijan Pharmaceutical and Pharmacotherapy Journal, 22(1), 64-69. https://doi.org/10.61336/appj/22-1-14
Mansur, M., & Khalifa, M. (2020) Evaluation of health promotion program for the prevention of epidemics at primary health care centres in Baghdad City: Comparative study. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 33(1), 63-72. https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v33i1.404
Murphy, C., & Thomas, F. P. (2022). Lessons learned: Pandemic-era perspectives on delivering care and conducting research in spinal cord injury. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 45(2), 161–162. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2022.2052508
Noor A. & Iman H. (2023). The predictive role of sociodemographic factors in nurses’ psychological hardiness. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties (INJNS), 36(1), 44-47. https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v36i1.785
Reber, E., Gomes, F., Vasiloglou, M. F., Schuetz, P., & Stanga, Z. (2019) Nutritional risk screening and assessment. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8071065
Saeed, M., & Khatam, A. M. (2022) Effectiveness of health education program on nurses’ knowledge toward hemodialysis at paediatric teaching hospitals in Baghdad City. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 33(1), 73-84. https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v33i1.405
Shahid, Z., Dioso, R. I.., Latif, M. Z., Tariq, H., & Anwar, A. (2024). Stroke Rehabilitation for Early Physical Activities among Patients Ongoing Rehabilitation: A Meta-Analysis. The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN), 16(2), 256-269. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2024.v16i02.025
Silva, P.; Araújo, R.; Lopes, F.; Ray, S. (2024) Nutrition and food literacy: framing the challenges to health communication. Nutrients, 15(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224708
Wong, S., Derry, F., Graham, A., Grimble, G., & Forbes, A. (2012). An audit to assess awareness and knowledge of nutrition in a UK spinal cord injuries centre. Spinal Cord, 50(6), 446-451. https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2011.180
Yaaroub, F. K., Faiza, K., & Beadaa, A. M. (2024). A study of drinking water properties in some hospitals in Baghdad City. Iraqi Journal of Science, 65(1), 43–54. https://doi.org/10.24996/ijs.2024.65.1.5
Yilmaz, G., & Seker, R. (2020). The effect of nutrition course on the level of nutrition knowledge. Progress in Nutrition, 22(1-S), 175–181.https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v22i1-S.9814
Zahir, B., Khafar, K., & Hama Salih, M. (2022). Alterations in some physiological and inflammatory markers in iron-deficient obese adults in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq. AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 18(3), 233-236. https://doi.org/10.47723/kcmj.v18i3.883
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
