Browsing by Author "Shitemo, Kaverua Christina"
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- ItemA study on nurses knowledge, attitude and practices of infection prevention and control at a private hospital in Namibia(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Shitemo, Kaverua Christina; Hector, Dawn; Bell, Janet; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Nursing & Midwifery.ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Healthcare-associated infections (nosocomial) are one of the leading adverse events within the healthcare sector worldwide. They are linked to an increasing number of morbidities and mortalities, an increased length of hospital stay and subsequent physiological, psychological and financial burden on the patient, their family, and the healthcare facility. In order to reduce these rates, consistent compliance with an effective infection prevention and control (IPC) programme is vital. It is for this reason that the purpose of this study was to determine nurses’ knowledge, attitude and IPC practices as these influence compliance of the IPC programme. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted in a Namibian private hospital. The target population (n=122) included all categories of nurses. Non-probability convenient sampling was done to ensure that all the nurses who were on duty during the data collection period were given opportunity to participate in the study. Data were collected from n = 90 (86%) of the target population. The data instrument was a questionnaire, which was adopted from a similar study in Nepal. A pilot test was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Stellenbosch’s healthcare research ethics committee, and the private hospital’s clinical research ethics committee. Results: The majority n=72 (80 %) of participants had adequate knowledge of IPC; n=76 (84.4%) had a positive attitude towards IPC and n=36 (40%) complied with the IPC practice. With regards to the relationship between the level of knowledge, attitude and infection prevention and control practices: of the participants (n= 72, 80%) with adequate knowledge, (n=7, 9.7%) have a significant negative attitude towards IPC (p = 0.002) and (n=38, 52.8%) are non-compliant with IPC practices (p=0.005) as well as participants with a positive attitude (n=76, 84.4%), (n=46, 60. 5%) are non-compliant with IPC practices (p=0.364, no relationship). Conclusion: The participants (nurses) had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards IPC. However, efforts should focus on improving their compliance of the IPC practice. It is recommended that IPC training should focus on information sharing, as well as on psychological motivation, in order to lead to a change in IPC behaviour.