To Örebro University

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess and analyze nurses' knowledge regarding Skin Tears (STs).

METHODS: An observational, exploratory, and cross-sectional study was conducted across four hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil, encompassing diverse settings: two public hospitals (one affiliated with a university and the other serving state public service professionals) and two private hospitals (one specializing in highly complex cases and the other a general hospital). Data collection involved two instruments: one for sample characterization and another, the OASES instrument, which was translated and content-validated for use in Brazilian Portuguese, to assess nurses' knowledge on STs. Data were analyzed using measures of central tendency and variability.

RESULTS: The study included 179 nurses, with an average score of 10.83 (SD = 3.32). Higher knowledge levels were observed in nurses who had received training on STs (p = 0.003) and those who participated in scientific activities (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Nurses across the four hospitals in São Paulo demonstrated a level of knowledge about STs that was slightly higher compared to international benchmarks in similar studies.