Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Of Nurses On Prevention And Control Of Hospital Acquired Infections In Soroti Regional Referral Hospital

Abstract

Although nurses prevent and control infections they lack the necessary knowledge to practice infection prevention and control. There is low compliance to infection control precautions including hand hygiene, the use of gloves and sharps management as a result of limited knowledge, poor staff attitude towards infection control measures leading to prolonged stay of the patients in the hospital, functional disability or reduced quality of life, high resistance to antimicrobial agents, emotional stress, additional financial costs for both the patients and their families and finally unnecessary deaths. This infections are actually preventable. It was essential to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices of nurses toward their prevention. Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of the nurses on prevention and control of Hospital acquired infections in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. Methodology: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study which employed simple random sampling method and a semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data from nurses in Soroti regional referral hospital. The sample size of 88 participants was used. Data was analyzed and tables, graphs, pie charts and percentages were generated. Study findings: The findings of the study revealed that 65.9% of the respondents were female while 34.1% were male. The diploma nurses constituted 48.9%, enrolled 29.5% and 21.6% of the respondents were graduates with degree award. Greater percentage of the respondents were diploma holder. Modal age group is 21-29 (48.9%, majority the respondents had experience of 1-5 years (58%). 51.1% of the respondents were very knowledgeable about hospital acquired infections, 37.5% of the respondents were quite knowledgeable about Hospital acquired infections. 81.8% of the respondents strongly agreed that every patient should be treated as if they carry blood borne. On the same note, 83.0% of the respondents said they always observe the infection control practices 90.9% of the respondents stated that they don’t recap needles after use. 96.6% of the respondents said they place disposable sharps in safety box immediately after use. Results also indicate that, 96.6% of the respondents always use gloves when doing procedure while 3.2% of the respondents sometimes use gloves when doing procedure. xiConclusions. The respondents are more knowledgeable, having a positive attitudes towards but with low level of practices on prevention and control of hospital acquired infections. Recommendations. Health facilities should provide every nurse with guidelines on infection control measures, and should strictly supervise the nurses to ensure compliance. Health facilities should provide adequate disposal material to the nurses. Nurses should be given opportunities to upgrade and males also need to be encouraged to offer nursing course.