Influencing factors of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding physical restraints among pediatric ICU nurses: a multicenter survey

Physical restraint, as a medical adjunct, is commonly employed in intensive care units. Presently, most studies on physical restraint in China focus on adult populations, with limited research and small sample sizes concerning critically ill pediatric patients. This study aims to investigate the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding physical restraint among pediatric ICU nurses through a multicenter survey, analyzing the factors influencing the use of physical restraint. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 825 pediatric ICU nurses in 25 children’s hospitals by convenience sampling method. The survey tools were self-designed general information questionnaire, knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire for physical restraints and the influencing factors were analyzed. A total of 850 questionnaires were distributed, with 825 returned, yielding a valid response rate of 97.05%. The total knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores for physical restraints among pediatric ICU nurses were (75.67 ± 6.83) scores, comprising (7.67 ± 1.45) scores for knowledge, (30.00 ± 6.44) scores for attitude, and (37.40 ± 3.29) scores for practice. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, professional title and whether or not nurses had received training in physical restraint were statistically associated with the total knowledge-attitudes-practices score ( P < 0.05), although the explanatory power of the model was limited. Specifically, nurses aged 31 ~ 40 (β = −1.524) and those aged 50 and over (β = −4.109) had significantly lower total scores for knowledge, attitudes and practices than the 20 ~ 30 age group; nurses with the professional title of Senior Nurse (β = 1.732) and those who had received training (β = 1.202) had higher total scores for knowledge, attitudes and practice. The total knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores for physical restraints among pediatric ICU nurses were (75.67 ± 6.83) scores. Administrators should develop personalized training programs based on evidence, tailored to their specific needs, and deliver differentiated training tailored to the characteristics of different ICU units, thereby improving the quality of physical restraint among pediatric nurses.