Effectiveness of Virgin Coconut Oil and Regular Repositioning in Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Children

INTRODUCTION: Pressure ulcers have adverse effects on health. Thus, early detection of damage to skin integrity is important for preventing the occurrence of pressure sores. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is a nonpharmacological therapy that can be applied to overcome the problem of damage to skin integrity. Virgin coconut oil contains antioxidants and is rich in vitamin E. Meanwhile, two-hourly repositioning is a nursing intervention performed to prevent pressure ulcers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of Virgin Coconut Oil and regular repositioning for preventing pressure sores. The designs used quasi experiment pretest and posttest nonequivalent control group; 86 participants were selected through a nonprobability sampling technique by consecutive sampling.

RESULTS: The fundings suggest that there is a significant difference in the Braden QD scores from before and after virgin coconut oil of the intervention group and repositioning of the control group (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Nurses are expected to be able to detect early damage to skin integrity by using the Braden QD Scale and to implement use Virgin Coconut Oil and repositioning.