Relationship Between Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes and Their Behavioral Intentions Regarding Artificial Nutrition and Hydration in Terminal Cancer Care
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Background: Artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) in terminal cancer care presents complex clinical and ethical challenges. Nurses’ knowledge and attitudes may be associated with their behavioral intentions concerning ANH-related decisions. Objective: To assess nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions regarding ANH in terminal cancer care and examine relationships among these constructs. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted among 235 registered nurses at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, ANH-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and professional-characteristic comparisons were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Moderate knowledge was observed by 48.1% of nurses, while 33.6% demonstrated good knowledge. Neutral attitudes were reported by 44.7%, whereas 38.7% demonstrated positive attitudes. Moderate behavioral intentions were observed in 46.8% of participants. Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge and attitudes (r = 0.428), knowledge and behavioral intentions (r = 0.381), and attitudes and behavioral intentions (r = 0.547), all p < 0.001. Nurses with previous palliative-care training had higher mean scores across all three constructs. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions were positively associated, with the strongest relationship observed between attitudes and behavioral intentions. The findings suggest potential areas for targeted ANH-related nursing education and further research
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