ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES AMONG NURSES AND EFFECT ON REDUCTION OF HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS ON PATIENTS IN SURGICAL WARDS IN FAITH MEDIPLEX HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY

Abstract

This study investigates the knowledge of infection control measures among nurses in the surgical wards of Faith Mediplex Hospital, Benin City, and their impact on reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among postoperative patients. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative surveys (n=120 nurses) and qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=20 nurses) to assess knowledge levels, compliance with infection control protocols, and their correlation with HAI incidence rates, specifically surgical site infections (SSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The Health Belief Model (HBM) serves as the theoretical framework, emphasizing perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy as drivers of nurses’ infection control behaviors. Preliminary findings indicate moderate knowledge levels (mean=3.4/5, SD=0.8), with notable gaps in advanced sterilization techniques (65% proficiency) and hand hygiene compliance (58% adherence). Qualitative data highlight barriers such as inadequate training (45% of nurses trained annually), limited personal protective equipment (PPE) availability (40% of wards fully equipped), high patient-to-nurse ratios (1:12), and cultural attitudes prioritizing speed over protocol adherence. Statistical analysis reveals a significant negative correlation between knowledge scores and HAI rates (r=-0.48, p