African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 170–178

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000151

Original Research Article

Title: Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Wards Nurses Regarding Inpatient Fall Prevention Frameworks

Names of Authors: Grace M. Malfoya¹, Yonas T. Abreha²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
²Department of Nursing, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract:
Accidental inpatient falls increase hospitalization intervals and trigger preventable clinical injuries, requiring consistent risk monitoring from ward staff. This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the clinical knowledge base, professional attitudes, and implementation limits regarding inpatient fall prevention models among nurses inside adult medical wards. A sample of 160 staff nurses across three large metropolitan facilities filled out a pre-validated fall prevention questionnaire index. The descriptive analysis indicated that while 85.0% of the nurses understood basic intrinsic fall hazards (e.g., patient disorientation or pharmacological side effects), only 42.5% performed systematic fall risk scaling assessments (such as the Morse Fall Scale) during admission windows. Missing low-height beds and inadequate physical assistance handles were highlighted by 73.8% of the cohort as structural barriers. Nurses working understaffed evening shifts expressed a significantly higher perceived risk of patient fall events due to surveillance gaps (p = 0.012). While overall professional attitudes toward fall prevention were highly supportive (89.4%), structural shortfalls and unstandardized screening models weaken care safety. Systematic use of validation scales and corrected nighttime staffing ratios are required.

Keywords: Fall Prevention; Inpatient Safety; Morse Fall Scale; Medical Wards; Nursing Assessment; Clinical Surveillance.

Manuscript Timeline: Received July 02, 2026; Revised August 20, 2026; Accepted September 05, 2026; Published September 18, 2026.

Citation: Malfoya, G. M., & Abreha, Y. T. (2026). Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Wards Nurses Regarding Inpatient Fall Prevention Frameworks. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(9), 170–178. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000151

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