Insufficient translation of knowledge among nurses towards management of nosocomial infections at Vihiga county Referral Hospital, Western Kenya

Introduction: The nosocomial infections are responsible for long hospital stays, morbidity, and mortality and are costly to manage. While episodes of NIs are recognized in hospitalized patients worldwide, and in all age groups, higher incidences are found in resource-limited settings, especially in Africa. The healthcare workers, particularly nurses, play a critical role in the spread, prevention and control of NIs. However, in poor resource settings, limited studies have been conducted to ascertain this. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses on NIs at Vihiga County Referral Hospital (VCRH). Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires to collect data from 90 of 100 nurses at VCRH. Further, interview guide was conducted on 2 nurses in charge. Analysis: Descriptive statistics was used to summarize participant characteristics. Chi-Square test was used to test for associations between various participant attributes and practices related to nosocomial infections. Qualitative data was summarized and themes derived, then related to nurse practices and knowledge. All analyses of quantitative data were done using SPSS version 20 (α = 0.05, where applicable). Results: This study reports that while the nurses had sufficient knowledge (97.8%) and positive attitude towards nosocomial infections, their knowledge was lacking in certain areas, and their practice towards nosocomial infection was not sufficient to prevent or control nosocomial infections. The nurses were a risk for the transmission of NIs (55.7%), and were equally at risk of being infected. There was however an Infection Prevention and Control Team, which met on a monthly basis. Recommendation: Routine trainings on nosocomial infections should be done for nurses, especially targeting areas where knowledge is limited, or variable between healthcare worker cadres. In addition, nurses and other healthcare staff should be provided with necessary resources that help prevent and control nosocomial infections. Furthermore, there is need to review guidelines on prevention and control of NIs among healthcare workers in Vihiga County Referral Hospital and other similar settings within the county.