PERCEIVED COPING MECHANISM AMONG REGISTERED NURSES TOWARDS COVID-19 RISK IN A SELECTED PRIVATE HOSPITAL, MELAKA, MALAYSIA

Abstract

This study aims to identify coping mechanisms, assess the association between registered nurses' demographic data and Covid-19 risk, and determine the level of knowledge on the Covid-19 virus among registered nurses in a private hospital in Melaka. Using a descriptive study design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the mentioned hospital through simple random sampling, ensuring homogeneity among the 101 participants who met the inclusion criteria. While primarily quantitative, this research design can also incorporate qualitative elements for descriptive purposes. The study revealed that a substantial proportion (77.9%) of registered nurses in the Melaka private hospital exhibited an acceptable level of knowledge about Covid-19. However, over half (64.4%) had not received any related training, contributing to a lack of confidence (56.4%) in managing the pandemic in their respective units. Coping mechanisms were assessed, indicating positive thinking among nurses, with a mean score above 2.7 (M=2.912, SD=0.479). The study underscores the importance of knowledge in boosting nurses' confidence in handling the Covid-19 pandemic. Training is crucial for continuous learning, especially given the evolving nature of viruses. Nurses equipped with knowledge demonstrate positive coping mechanisms, reinforcing the need for ongoing educational initiatives to enhance preparedness in the face of emerging health challenges like Covid-19.