Impact of “Respectful Adolescent Care Intervention” on nurses Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice: A Quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Introduction: About 1.2 million adolescents die each year from preventable causes worldwide. It is worrying that health professionals frequently lack the empathy, skills, and sensitivity to engage with adolescents, often treating them as mere cases. The Respectful Adolescent Care (RAC) intervention can be effectively applied in clinical practice to ensure that adolescents receive compassionate, non-judgmental, and appropriate care as per their unique needs. Using its principles, nurses can create a safe and supportive environment where adolescents feel heard and respected. Objectives: To assess the impact of a RAC intervention on nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). Methodology: A quasi-experimental, non-randomized, non-equivalent control group design was adopted. A total of 100 registered nurses meeting the inclusion criteria were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire, an attitude rating scale, and a practice observation checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: Most nurses were aged 30-39 years (46% experimental, 38% control) and predominantly female (78% experimental, 62% control). The RAC intervention significantly improved nurses’ knowledge (mean 22.1 vs. 16.0; mean diff. 6.1), attitude (t = 11.44, p = 0.001***), and practice (χ² = 48.07, p = 0.001***), with 58% achieving good practice; KAP scores were positively correlated (knowledge-attitude r = 0.38, knowledge-practice r = 0.47, practice-attitude r = 0.55; p = 0.001***), and gains were significantly associated with age, experience, and prior in-service training. Conclusion: The study supports implementing RAC-based guidelines and policies to standardize respectful adolescent care in hospital and community nursing practices.