Knowledge & Practice Study among Staff Nurses about Surgical Site Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice among Nurses regarding prevention of Surgical site infections. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and practice among Nurses regarding prevention of Surgical site infections. Total 70 samples aged between 21 to 60 years were selected by non probability convenient sampling from all wards where postoperative patients were being monitored. A structured questionnaire was used to assess existing level of knowledge and practice was assessed by an observational checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for the analysis of the tabulated data. Results: Out of 70 respondents maximum respondents 41 (58.6%) were from age group of 21 - 30 years. Majority of the respondents 35 (50%) were Graduate nurses, 33 (47.1%) had clinical experience of 5 to 10 years and 38 (54.3%) underwent speciality courses. Majority of the respondents i. e.44 (62.9%) had poor knowledge whereas 23 (32.9%) had fair knowledge regarding prevention of SSI. Only 3 (4.3%) had good knowledge.68 (97.1%) of the respondents exhibited high level of practice in response to prevention of SSI whereas 2 (2.9%) demonstrated moderate level of practice There was a weak positive correlation between mean knowledge and mean practice regarding prevention of surgical site infections which is was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The study concluded that though the nurses lack knowledge they practiced prevention of SSI appropriately. Therefore, efforts have to be made to update the knowledge of nurses regarding surgical site infection prevention activities.