P-80: Role of an education nurse in a low-resource health care service: challenges and observations
A P Mendomo, S Bolo, M Edongue Hika, R Mbono, S A Sap Ngo UmAbstract
Introduction
In low-resource health care settings, patients education is often limited due to heavy workload, staff shortages, and lack of educational tools leading to poor understanding of disease and treatment adherence.
Objectives
To explore the role of an education nurse in a low-resource healthcare service.
Methods
An observational study with purposive sampling was conducted over one month at the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation. The study involved the educational nurse and type 1 diabetes patients with their families. Data was collected through direct observation of the nurse’s daily educational activities.
Results
The education nurse played both in-hospital and community roles. In the hospital, she provided simplified explanations of diseases, promoted preventive practices and treatment adherence, offered psychological support and trained healthcare staff. community activities focused on outreach and health education. Positive factors included the availability of educational videos, regular patient attendance, increasing participation in training, and improved health information systems. However, challenges included the lack of community health workers, community insecurity, limited time due to high patient load, staff shortages and difficulties in insulin supply.
Conclusions
Education nurse plays a crucial role in improving patient knowledge and health practices in low-resource settings. Strengthening community support, improving insulin supply and increasing health care staffing could enhance the effectiveness of nursing education.