| dc.description.abstract | A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses and midwives towards prevention of surgical wound infections.
The study respondents were 120 nurses and midwives aged between 20-60 years working in in outpatient department, maternity, pediatric, private, surgical and medical departments. Data was collected using questionnaires which had both open and closed ended questions.
The study revealed that majority 80.8% (97/120) of the respondents were females, more so, the majority 32.5% (39/120) of the respondents were aged 26-39 years. The majority of the respondents were nurses 63.3% (76/120), compared to the counterparts the midwives who were 36.7% (44/120).
Majority were certificate nurses and midwives 57.5% (69/120) followed by the diploma nurses and midwives 34.2% (41/120), then 8.3% (10/120) diploma nurses and midwives. It was further found out that majority of the respondents had worked for 1-5 years 35.0% (42/120).
Significantly the study findings revealed that all respondents knew about surgical wound infections. The study revealed that majority 60% had knowledge that pus discharge is a sign of surgical wound infections and 23.3% knew fever as a sign or symptom as well.
The study revealed that majority of the respondents 90.8% (109/120) had positive attitude towards wound dressing while only 9.2 % had a negative attitude.
All respondents 100% in the study would use an aseptic technique during wound dressing. Majority of the respondents 65.8% (79/120) would use sterile dressing during wound care procedure so as to maintain sterility, 17.5% mentioned picking instruments with a cheatle forceps, and 16.7% mentioned sterilization of equipment, while none mentioned use of fresh prepared antiseptic. This indicated good practices towards prevention of surgical wound infections.
I recommend the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital to continue encouraging the nurses and midwives to attend continuous medical education so as to improve on the knowledge and the practice of prevention of surgical wound infections. | en_US |
