Level of Knowledge and Wound Care Practice at a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Ethiopia: A Survey in 180 Nurses

Abstract BackgroundWound infections are a global public health challenge, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Poor wound care results delayed wound healing process and wound infections. Improving the knowledge and practice of wound care is paramount to reduce wound infection. However, there is no study done in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of nurses who worked at Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital towards wound healing and care. MethodsA survey was conducted among 180 nurses worked in Felegehiwot specialized hospital during January 1 to 30, 2018. The study participants were selected through simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants. Both Bivariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression was done and proportional odds ratio (POR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported to show the strength of association. A p-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistically significant.ResultIn this study, 34 (18.7%) and 17 (9.3%) of nurses have a good knowledge and practice on wound healing and care. While 41.8% and nearly three-fourths (60%) of the participants have a poor level of knowledge and practice on wound care respectively. Working experience of fewer than 5 years (aPOR 0.42, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.72), working in the surgical ward (aPOR 5.45, 95 % CI: 1.61, 2.21) and in the emergency department (aPOR, 0.26, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.18) were significant factors of knowledge of wound care. While, get training (aPOR 1.9, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.87) and good knowledge (aPOR 5.56, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.26) on wound care increased the level of practice. ConclusionsThe knowledge and practice of wound care of nurses were found to be poor. Above two-fifth of nurses doesn’t provide predischarge education on wound care. For this, provision of a structured preservice and in-service training and education program on wound healing and care, improve nurses educational level or experience sharing, establish and put in place wound healing and care guideline and assessment tools in hospitals and conduct the further qualitative study the level of wound care practice was recommended.