Title : Nurses’ knowledge and practices on surgical site infections in Sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Buea Regional Hospital, South West Region in Cameroon
Abstract:
Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) refers to infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues which occur following surgery; usually, within 30 days of operation or after a year if implant was done. Surgical site infection is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, affecting 5.6% of surgical procedures overall in Low and Middle income Countries.
Objectives: This study sought to investigate nurses’ knowledge on surgical site infections, determine nurses’ practices in the care and prevention of surgical site infections.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Forty nurses working at the Buea Regional Hospital (BRH) in Fako Division the Buea Health District, Cameroon participated in the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the study site, while the convenient sampling method was used to enroll eligible participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered into Epi Data Version 21.0 and was analysed using SPSS version 21.0.
Results: The results revealed that 65.0% knew what surgical site infection is, 100% approved the importance of preoperative counselling in the prevention of SSI and reported that patient hygiene is important in the prevention of SSIs. All nurses (100%) disapproved the use of lotions on surgical wounds. Few respondents (2.5%) had poor knowledge on practices in the care and prevention of SSIs.
Conclusion: The study revealed that all most all of the participants had good knowledge and practices regarding the prevention, care and management of patients SSI. Though there was a strong and positive correlation between knowledge and practices, more education needs to be given to nurses through seminars and re-educational programmes to improve on their knowledge and keep them updated with the current trends.
Keywords: Knowlegde, practices, prevention, management, surgical site infection.
Audience Take Away Notes:
1. Surgical site infection is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide
2. mNurses had good knowledge and practices regarding the prevention, care and management of patients SSIs; however, more education needs to be given to nurses through continuous seminars and other educational programs to improve on their competencies and keep them updated with the current trends
3. SSI is the cause of longer hospital stays and more health complications, increasing mortality risks and costs
4. The nurses’ role give them a distinctive chance in reducing the propagation of hospital acquired infections
5. Nurses need to be alert and smart in order prevent, identify early signs of SSIs and intervene adequately
• Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn?
It be a reminder to nurses of their role in alleviating suffering, disease prevention and health maintenance
• How will this help the audience in their job?
They will be able to apply knowledge gain in their day to day practice
• Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching?
Yes, it could help other faculty to conduct a further research in this area and educators could use the findings of this research to emphasise the need for nurses to always demonstrate the qualities of an excellent nurse.
• Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient?
Yes, it could help in revising and designing of nursing programmes.
• Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem?
Yes, it will help in both
