author(s)
Shashirani Pangambam, Karma Doma Bhutia and Sriya Pradhan

abstract
Pressure ulcers (pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, bedsores, and pressure injuries) are localized damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually occur over a bony prominence as a result of pressure or pressure in combination with shear and/or friction. The aim of the present study was to assess knowledge and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer of staff nurses. A descriptive research design was conducted in Hospitals, Gangtok, East Sikkim among of 136 staff nurses. Standardized tool Pieper-Zulkowski PUKT (Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test), and observational checklist for practice were administered. The study revealed that 86(55%) had average knowledge, 44(28%) staff nurses had good knowledge and 6(4%) staff nurses had poor knowledge and also majority i.e. 110(71%) staff nurses had good practice and 26(17%) had poor practice regarding. Study also found that there was moderately positive correlation between knowledge and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer (r= 0.79) and there was an association between knowledge with year of experience (χ2=15.50, df=8) and practice with area of posting (χ2= 0.00, df= 6). The study showed that there is still much scope for improving their knowledge especially in area of wound description.