Perception of Electroconvulsive Therapy Among Nursing Students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains one of the most effective interventions for severe treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions, yet it continues to be surrounded by misconceptions and fear among healthcare students. This study examines the perceptions and knowledge of ECT among nursing students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design will be used, enrolling 180 nursing students in their second to fifth years of study. A structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from validated instruments on ECT attitudes will be used, supplemented by items on psychiatric clinical placement exposure. Data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square tests and independent t-tests. Prior research in Nigerian nursing education suggests that limited psychiatric placement and absence of ECT demonstrations contribute to fear and negative attitudes. The study will assess whether clinical exposure to psychiatric units moderates negative perceptions. Findings will guide curriculum developers and clinical coordinators in nursing education to improve ECT training content, thereby fostering more compassionate and effective future healthcare providers. Keywords: electroconvulsive therapy, perception, nursing students, Anambra State, psychiatry education