A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Infection Control Measures among Staff Nurses in Annammal Hospital at Kanyakumari District

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Good health depends in part on a safe environment. Practices or techniques that control or prevent transmission of infection and protect clients and health care workers from disease. Clients in all health care settings are at risk for acquiring infections because of lower resistance to infectious microorganisms, increased exposure to numbers of disease causing microorganisms and invasive procedures. By practicing infection prevention and control techniques, the nurse can avoid spreading microorganisms to clients. Infection is defined as the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body. An infection may remain in local area is called localized infection, and infection that spread through the blood or body is called systemic infection. The term "nosocomial" comes from two Greek words: "nosus" meaning "disease" + "komeion" meaning "to take care of." Hence, "nosocomial" should apply to any disease contracted by a patient while under medical care. Nosocomial infections are infections that have been caught in a hospital and are potentially caused by organisms that are resistant to antibiotics. A nosocomial infection is specifically one that was not present or incubating prior to the patient's being admitted to the hospital, but occurring within 48 hours after admittance to the hospital. Nosocomial infections, also known as health care-associated infections, are those that an individual develops as a result of being hospitalized. Common hospital infections include those of the urinary tract, the bloodstream, and the respiratory system. Simonetti A et.al (2003) conducted a study on a prospective cohort study on intensive care acquired infection. The study was conducted with 335 patients, 80 developed ICU acquired infection. The study findings concluded that among the patients with ICU acquired infections hospital mortality was higher percentage, regardless of whether or not the patients had infection on admission. Maria Pavia et.al (2000) conducted a study on the prevalence of hospital acquire infection in Calabria (Italy).The aim of the study was to assess the effect of different variables on hospital acquired infection in 888 patient present in a ward for at least 24 hours and not due for discharge or transfer on the day of the survey. The overall prevalence of hospital acquired infection was 1•7% and urinary tract and surgical wounds were the most frequent sites (each four patients, 26•7%). In only eight (53•3%) of the fifteen hospital acquired infection detected, had a microbiological examination been requested and the only two positive culture results involved Pseudomonas aeruginosa (surgical site) and Escherichia coli (urinary tract). STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: “A study to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding infection control measures among staff nurses in Annammal Hospital at Kanyakumari District”. OBJECTIVES: 1. To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program regarding infection control measures by comparing pretest and posttest level of knowledge, attitude and practice of staff nurse. 2. To associate the posttest level of knowledge, attitude and practice on infection control measures among staff nurses with selected demographic variable. HYPOTHESES: H1-There will be a significant difference between pretest and posttest level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding infection control measures among staff nurses. H2-.There will be a significant association between posttest level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding infection control measures and the selected demographic variables. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted by checking knowledge, attitude and practice regarding infection control measures among 30 staff nurses. The questionnaire, attitude, statement by 3 point likert scale and the check list were used to obtain necessary data, structured teaching programme was given the next day of pretest and posttest was administered after 7days of structured teaching programme, the same questionnaire was used to collect the post test data. DATA ANALYSIS: Paired ‘t’ test was used to compare the pretest and posttest level of knowledge attitude and practice among staff nurses, Karl persons correlation coefficient test was used to find out the relationship between the post test level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards infection control. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: 1. Effectiveness of structured teaching program of knowledge, attitude and practice of staff nurses regarding infection control measures by comparing pretest and posttest level. Regarding the effectiveness, the posttest mean and standard deviation was greater than pretest mean and standard deviation for knowledge, attitude and practice. The p value is 0.001 which is highly significant. Hence, the H1 is accepted. 2. Relationship between post test level of knowledge, attitude and practice on infection control measure among staff nurses with socio demographic variables The data pertaining to association shows there is no association between level of knowledge with socio demographic variables but there is as association with level of attitude and practice with socio demographic variables. Hence, H2 was accepted. RESULT AND SUMMARY: The study concluded to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program regarding infection control measures among staff nurses. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness by comparing pretest and posttest level of knowledge, attitude and practice, to associate the post test level of knowledge, attitude and practice on infection control measures among staff nurses with selected socio demographic variables. Convenient sampling technique was used to draw 30 samples from the study population. Structured knowledge questionnaire, attitude scale, observational checklist was used to evaluate the pre test, and structured teaching was given and post test was done to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice. After analysis and interpretation it was inferred, that structured teaching is effective. CONCLUSION: The study findings, revealed that the structured teaching programme helps to improve knowledge attitude and practice of staff nurses regarding infection control measures and the study reveals, that there is relationship between posttest level of attitude and practice, except level of knowledge