Nurse factors influencing compliance with CDC guidelines for catheter associated urinary tract infection prevention in a referral hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Urinary tract infections are the most frequently occurring health-care associated infections. 75% of these infections are linked with utilization of an indwelling urinary catheter. However, 40% of urinary tract infections are preventable. The researcher sought to assess nurse related factors influencing compliance with Centre for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for CAUTI prevention among nurses working at Embu level 5 hospital. The study was carried out in 2017. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working at Embu level 5 hospital between 107 participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data collection tools included a self-administered structured questionnaire, and an interview schedule for key informants and an observation checklist. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and thematic analysis. Findings: Compliance among the nurses was found to be low (46.7%). However, most respondents had adequate knowledge of the guidelines on CAUTI prevention (overall knowledge score of 71%). A majority (60.2%) of the respondents also had a positive attitude towards CAUTI prevention. There was no significant association between nurse related factors (knowledge & attitude) and nurse’ compliance (all p >0.05). However, some of the key informants felt that inadequate knowledge on CAUTI prevention guidelines was a factor hindering nurse’ compliance. Conclusion & Recommendation: The nurses’ level of compliance with CAUTI guidelines was poor. The null hypothesis (H0) was accepted (p > 0.05) which implies that nurses’ knowledge and attitude do not influence their compliance with CAUTI guidelines. Further studies should be carried out on other factors, for example institutional factors that might influence nurse’ compliance with guidelines for CAUTI prevention.