KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF INFECTION CONTROL DURING WOUND DRESSING AMONG NURSES WORKING AT A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE INSTITUTION IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Wound Infection is a health challenge occurring in many of our health care institutions. This study assessed nurses' knowledge and skills of infection control during wound dressing. The relationship between their knowledge and skills of infection control was also ascertained. A descriptive design and purposive sampling technique was employed to select one hundred and fifty-four (18 males, 136 females) participants for the study. An interviewer's administered questionnaire and an observational checklist were used as research instruments. Results showed that about 90% of respondents had good knowledge of infection control. However, 65% exhibited good skills of infection control during wound dressing. Inferential statistical analysis (Chi-square) indicated significant association between nurses' knowledge of infection control and their skills during wound dressing (?² = 10.902, p= 0.010). Further research is required to identify effective strategies to enhance nurses' knowledge and practice regarding wound dressing management.