The Effect of a Structured Educational Program on Nurses’ Knowledge and Performance Regarding Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization in Erbil City

Abstract

Background and Aim: Pediatric cardiac catheterization is a complex, high-risk clinical procedure that requires competent nurses with adequate knowledge and clinical skills to improve patient outcomes. Inadequate regular training programs for nurses in pediatric cardiac catheterization has been shown to increase the risk complications during and after the procedure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a structured educational program on nurses’ knowledge and performance regarding pediatric cardiac catheterization. Method: A quasi-experimental study using a convenience sampling method was conducted among nurses working at the Surgical Specialty Hospital-Cardiac Center in Erbil City from February 5th, 2025, to August 28th, 2025. A total of 100 nurses were included in the study and equally allocated into intervention (n = 50) and control (n = 50) groups. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaires assessing nurses’ sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and clinical performance related to pediatric cardiac catheterization. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 through descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U-tests, Spearman’s correlation, effect size analysis and multivariable linear regression. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups at baseline. Following the educational intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher knowledge and performance scores at posttest 1 and posttest 2 across all assed domains compared with the control group (p<0.01). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between knowledge improvement and performance improvement (r = 0.752, p<0.01), while a negative correlation was observed between the pretest knowledge and performance scores with their respective improvements (r = -0.530 and r = -0.487, p<0.01). Conclusion: The structured educational program significantly improved nurses’ knowledge and performance regarding pediatric cardiac catheterization, with sustained effects over time. Implementing structured educational interventions may enhance nursing performance and promote safer pediatric cardiac care.