Operating room nurses knowledge, attitude and practice of sterile techniques in Rwanda referral hospitals

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection continues to be the most common HAIs among operated clients, it associated with expenses and mortality and morbidity. Sterile technique are measures taken by health care worker to prevent the contamination of surgical wounds but still now adherence to sterile technique principle is still low. Operating room nurses play a big role in prevention and control of infection in theatre by applying the principles of sterile technique for that reason the OR nurses to accomplish their tasks must have knowledge and good attitude to practice the sterile technique but various study revealed that the OR nurses have low knowledge, attitude and practice of sterile technique. Aim and specific objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the OR nurses knowledge, attitude and practice of sterile technique in four selected Rwanda Referral Hospitals and the specific objectives of this study were: to assess of the level of knowledge, to determine the attitude, to assess the level of practice of sterile technique among operating room nurses, and to determine the relationship between demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of sterile technique. Method: Cross section descriptive study approach was used to find out OR nurses KAP of sterile technique in the operating theatre of four selected hospitals in Rwanda. Eighty nurses working in OR of the 4 selected Hospitals were recruited from the population of 100 using convenience sampling methods. The KAP of sterile technique were assessed by using the self administrated questionnaire among OR nurses. Instrument was pre tested, validated. Results: The finding of this study revealed that 3.8% had very high level of knowledge, 27.5% had high level of knowledge, and few 3.8% had low level of knowledge. The OR nurses had positive attitude regarding sterile technique and 61.3% practiced sterile technique at very high level, 23.8% practiced it at high level, 12.5% practiced sterile technique at moderate level and only 2.5% practiced sterile technique at low level. Conclusion: The majority of respondent had moderate level of knowledge of sterile technique, a right attitude toward sterile technique and good practice of sterile technique. Thus continuous in services training on sterile technique is required to improve knowledge, attitude and practice of sterile technique and also observation study should be done to assess the practice of sterile technique.