CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Hospital acquired/associated infection (HAI) is one of the indicators of quality care and patient

safety. Though the risk of infection is present everywhere, the hospital is considered as a high-

risk area. For every 100 admitted patients in the hospital, seven in developed and ten in

developing countries are at a threat of being affected by hospital related infection (Obiero, Seale

and Berkley, 2015). Nosocomial infections (NIs), also known as a hospital-acquired infection,

are defined as infections which are acquired after 48 h of patient admission. Such infections are

neither present nor incubating prior to a patient’s admission to a given hospital. NIs represents a

universally serious health problem and a major concern for the safety of both patients and the

health care providers (Iliyasu et. al., 2016). Infection controls are policies and procedures used to

minimize the risk of spreading infections, especially in hospitals and healthcare facilities. It also

refers to measures practiced by healthcare personnel in healthcare facilities to decrease

transmission and acquisition of infectious agents such as proper hand hygiene, scrupulous work

practices, use of personal protective equipment such as mask or respirators, gloves, gowns, and

eye 5protection. Infection control measures are based on how an infectious agent is transmitted

and include standard, contact, and airborne precautions (Scubamike, 2007). Infection control is

the responsibility of all the employees of the hospital. The knowledge and practice of infection

control practices are the key element in breaking the chain of infection. Simple measures such

ashand washing can reduce infection in the hospital to a great extent (Rasam, Apte, and Salvi,

2015). Primary health care facilities are only one aspect of the system in which care is provided

(Ramsden, 2003). Nurses have hands-on daily contact with their patients and should therefore

play a vital role in patient safety and infection control, and not poor practice of infection control
measures which otherwise could contribute to acquisition of infections among patients, and

transmission of infectious agents to the health care provider.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The threat of hospital acquired infection (HAI) persists despite advances in health care system.

The CDS reported that an estimated 1.7 million infections occur annually in hospitals in the

USA, with 99,000 associated deaths (Al’fatih and jing jy, 2016).Nurses are responsible for

providing medications, dressing, sterilization, and disinfection. They are involved in more

contact with patients than other health care workers (Shinde, aand Mohite, 2014). Hence, nurses

play a vital role in transmitting NIs, and their compliance with infection control measures seems

to be necessary for preventing and controlling NIs (Sarani, Balouchi, Masinaeinezhad and

Ebrahimitabs, 2014). Accordingly, nurses should be aware of how to prevent transmission of NIs

and be knowledgeable of its potential risk to patients, other staff, and as visitors. Knowledge and

perception of nurses can influence their practice of infection control measures .However, having

to the attitude and behavior of nurses toward infection control in health [Link]: refers to

any licensed nurse practitioner currently working in the Ahmadu Bello University teaching

hospital irrespective of gender or age differences. merely knowledge on infection control

measures will not to reduce the rate of infection unless it is practiced during the patient-care

activities (WHO, 2018). Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of assessing level of

knowledge, perception and practice of infection control among nurses in ABUTH Zaria

1.3 AIM OF THE STUDY

:The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, perception and practice of infection control

among nurses in Ahmadu Bello University teaching hospital

The objectives of the study are to:Assess the nurses' level of knowledge about infection control

measures at ABUTH Explore the nurses’ perception toward infection control at the Center

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the level of knowledge of nurses about infection control measures at the ABUTH Zaris?

What are nurses’ perceptions toward infection control at the ABUTH?What are nurses’ levels of

practice on infection control at the ABUTH?

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Findings of this study will help to provide information to the Government and health policy

makers on the level of knowledge, perception and practice of nurses toward infection control

measures in the hospital environment. This information will enable government and health

policy makers to institutes and enact new policies that will motivate and encourage or rather

enforce the nurses on compliance to infection control practices. Findings of this study will offer

an important insights for devising future strategies in enhancing nurses’ preparedness and

practice of infection control. These include recommendations on providing education and

training to nurses regarding infectious diseases, fostering institutional assistance and support in

an outbreak and revising government policies and [Link] obtained from this study

will serve as tools for stakeholders in both academic and health institutions in revising and

refurbishing their curriculum and lay more emphasis on the necessity of infection control.

Approach like this will greatly help to reduce rate of morbidity and mortality related to cross

infectionThis study was also conducted to fill the gap in literature as many studies had been

published on knowledge and practice of infection control in the hospital environment. Findings
from this study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and equally serve as a point of

reference for future studies.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is delimited to nurses working in the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching hospital

irrespective of age and gender differences.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Infection Control: are techniques and methods employed by nurses to reduce the chance of

patients and self from contracting contagious disease.

Knowledge: Knowledge in this study refers to the awareness of the infection control measures

and methods of observing them

Practice: Practice in this study refers to compliance and performance of infection control

measures.

Perception: Perception in this study refer to the attitude and behavior of nurses toward infection

control in health facility

.Nurse: refers to any licensed nurse practitioner currently working in the ABUTH Zaria

irrespective of gender or age differences.