Perception and prevention of healthcare-associated infections among nurses – an Interview Study in an Intensive Care Unit in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background. Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is an extensive problem and the most frequent adverse health event in healthcare worldwide. The prevalence is higher in low-income countries and in intensive care units (ICU) where outbreaks often originate. Hygiene actions are common precautions to reduce HAIs and with nurses being the main healthcare providers of physical care, they have a critical role in reducing HAIs. Aim. The aim of this study is to describe how registered nurses perceive and prevent healthcare associated infections in an ICU in Mulago Hospital, Uganda. Method. The study has used a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews. The data was collected by interviewing ten nurses working at the ICU in Mulago Hospital. A thematic analysis was used to find out the nurses’ perception on working with HAIs. The principles of autonomy, confidentiality and privacy were greatly observed as the data was collected. Result. Three themes were found in the result: perception on working with HAIs, strategies to prevent HAIs and reasons for not following routines. The nurses’ empathy for patients and their families due to the additional cost that an HAI brings was found. Barrier nursing was a slightly more emphasised strategy than hand hygiene for preventing HAIs. Shortage of staff and lack of equipment were the two major reasons for not being able to follow precautions against HAIs. Conclusion. When focusing on precautions it is interesting that barrier nursing is considered to be a more common strategy than hand washing. This goes against earlier studies and indicates a need for further research on the matter. This study elucidates an extensive problem which is common in low-income countries where little or no previous research of the perceptions among nurses has been carried out.