Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and perception of mental health nurses on the use of restraint methods among mentally ill. Although there are different restraints used in other areas of health, the primary focus was on the use of seclusion, mechanical restraints, and involuntary medication. A non- experimental descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. Stratified random sampling and then simple random sampling were used to select 108 participants from 8 wards. A researcher-developed pretested instrument was used in the data collection. Approval from the Institutional Review Board of the
University of Cape Coast and informed consent were sought from the participants
before the commencement of the study.
Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
version 22, descriptive statistics cross-tabulation a chi-square test was also used.
Chi square test indicated that there were no significant difference in knowledge
and use of restraint between nurses on the acute wards and chronic wards.
In conclusion majority (65%) of participants indicated to often rely on restraints
method to reduce aggression on the wards. 69.4% commonly used seclusion as
compared to other forms of restraints. Some reasons for application of restraints
as indicated by participants were restraints is used for the safety of the patients
staff and significant others. It was also identified that there were no significant
difference in the knowledge and use of restraints between nurses on the acute and
chronic wards.
