Knowledge of Infection, Prevention and Control Strategies Among Nurses in National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu

Obeagu Getrude Uzoma¹ & Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi^2,3*

¹Department of Nursing Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
²Medical Laboratory Science University Health Services, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
³Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

Dr. Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri and University Health Services, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.

Keywords: Infection; Microbe; Patient Safety

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the knowledge of infection prevention and control strategies among nurses in four wards of National orthopaedic Hospital Enugu. The objectives of the study were aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of nurses about infection prevention and control strategies, their practice of infection prevention and control strategies, factors affecting infection prevention and control strategies and ways of improving infection prevention and control strategies. The related literature was reviewed. The benefit of the study is to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infection. Descriptive survey was used. The population for the study was 87 nurses and sample size was 71 nurses. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. The data presentation and analysis were done using frequency tables, percentages and pie chart. The major findings of the study revealed that nurses in four wards of National Orthopaedic hospital Enugu had an above average knowledge of infection prevention and control strategies while their practice of infection prevention and control strategies was not satisfactory especially on the area of aseptic technique and disinfection. Inadequate resources like manpower, materials etc were identified as major factor affecting infection prevention and control strategies. Organization of infection prevention and control programme in the hospital ranked highest in ways of improving infection prevention and control strategies. Hence, the researcher recommended that ministry of health should conduct seminars on infection prevention and control strategies for health workers.

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