Abstract:
Introduction: Surgical site infections cause significant patient morbidity and mortality and are the
second most common cause of healthcare associated infections frequently in low and middle
income countries. Despite developed and approved the refined standard precautions by healthcare
infection control practices Advisory committee (HICPC) of center of diseases control (CDC) to
guide patient care across all settings where health care is delivered in infection control and
prevention, surgical site infection still high through different health settings in different countries.
Purpose of study: This study aimed to assess compliance with infection control standard
precautions in prevention of surgical site infection among theatre staff in operating room at a
selected referral hospital in Rwanda.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design using quantitative approach was conducted and
total population sampling method was used to select a sample of 90 theatre staff working at
University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (UTHK). Ethical approval and authority to conduct a study
was granted. A structured Observational checklist with basic global guidelines for the prevention of
surgical site infection items and self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data.
Descriptive statistics using SPSS version 21.0 was used for data analysis
Results: Among 90 participants, most of participants were females comparing to the males and
most of them were falling between 31 to 35 age group and nurses were more than other staff.
Insufficient compliance with standards precautions were found: among 90 participants regarding
hand hygiene especially on removing artificial nail and nail polish before starting surgical hand
decontamination was poor as 52(57.8%) ,hand washing with soap and water on arrival to operating
room respecting WHO techniques observed were only 5(5.6) and also only 54(60%) respecting 2-5
min the required time for scrubbing were observed. On the use of personal protective equipment
26(28.9%) did not put on plastic apron, 45(50%) did not use eye protective, also 12(13.3%) did not
wear sterile gown when required and 7(7.8%) did not wear surgical gloves. On the environment
31(34.4%) doors and windows were not closed during surgical operations.
Conclusion: This study showed non compliance with infection prevention standard precautions. Therefore,
efforts should be made to enhance compliance through training and periodic audits of practice in order to
prevent infections especially surgical site infections.
