Master’s Degree Awarded to Researcher Mazen Noman Hassan in Critical Care Nursing

Researcher Mazen Noman Mohammed Hassan was awarded a Master’s Degree in Critical Care Nursing with an average of Excellent and a grade (90%) for his thesis titled: Knowledge and Practices of Critical Care Nurses Regarding the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in Public Hospitals in Sana’a City ‎, which was submitted to the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Saturday, September 5, 2026‎.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

• Prof. Mohammed Mohammed Ali Al-Aqmar – Sana’a University – Internal ‎Examiner and Chair

• ‎ Abdulsalam Mohammed Naji Dallaq – Sana’a University – Principal Supervisor ‎and Member

• ‎ Bandar Ali Musleh Al-Hajouri – 21 September University – External Examiner ‎and Member.

The study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge and preventive practices related to the ‎prevention of pressure ulcers in public hospitals in Sana’a City, Yemen.‎

The study reached several findings, including:

• Critical care nurses in Sana’a City demonstrated a satisfactory overall level of knowledge regarding pressure-ulcer prevention. However, important knowledge gaps were identified concerning the causes, mechanisms, and development of pressure ulcers, highlighting the need to strengthen nurses’ understanding of these fundamental aspects.

• Nurses’ preventive practices were generally good, with regular repositioning of patients being one of the most consistently practiced preventive interventions.

• A positive relationship was found between nurses’ level of knowledge and their preventive practices, underscoring the importance of strengthening continuous educational and training programs to improve clinical competence, enhance adherence to preventive measures, and improve the quality of nursing care, thereby promoting excellence in clinical practice and reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers.

In light of these findings, the researcher recommended the following:

• Implementing regular and mandatory in-service educational and training programs, with particular emphasis on the causes and mechanisms of pressure-ulcer development, as well as the assessment of associated risk factors, to strengthen nurses’ knowledge and improve their ability to prevent pressure ulcers at an early stage.

• Developing and implementing standardized, evidence-based protocols for pressure-ulcer prevention and ensuring compliance with their implementation across all intensive care units in public hospitals, thereby standardizing nursing practices and improving the quality of patient care.

• Ensuring the adequate and continuous availability of pressure-relieving equipment and supplies, including pressure-relieving devices, appropriate mattresses, and nutritional support, given their importance in strengthening preventive measures and reducing the risk of pressure-ulcer development among patients.

The defense session was attended by a number of academics, researchers, students, colleagues, and the researcher’s family.