Knowledge, practice, and associated factors towards postoperative wound care among nurses working in public hospitals in Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study in low resource setting area

Background and aim: Postoperative wound care is irrigating the surgical wound with normal saline solution and applying sterile gauze or bandage. Even though challenges related to postoperative wound care and its complications are high, information related to the knowledge and practice of nurses on postoperative wound care are minimal. Therefore, this study aimed to find levels of knowledge and practices of nurses on postoperative wound care management and contributing factors among nurses working at public hospitals of West Showa, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2020.

Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 465 Nurses working in public hospitals in West Showa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, from June 15 to July 10, 2020. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire that was adapted from previous studies. Descriptive statistics were performed and results were presented using tables and graphs. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was undertaken, and variables with p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered statistically significant.

Result: Only 44.3% (95% CI = 39.5%, 48.9%) and 48.0% (95% CI = 43.4%, 52.4%) of nurses have good knowledge and practice in postoperative wound care, respectively. Male nurses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.90 (1.25-2.89), working in gynecology ward (AOR = 0.42 [0.18-0.95]), experience of ≥2 years in surgical units (AOR = 2.97 [1.10-8.02]), working in secondary hospital (AOR = 1.94 [1.16-3.26]), and working in tertiary hospital (AOR = 3.31 [1.81-6.08]) were significantly associated with the knowledge of nurses. An adequate supply of personal protective equipment (AOR = 3.38 [1.29-8.84]), using infection prevention guidelines (AOR = 5.03 [2.16-11.7]) and the presence of an adequate wound care materials (AOR = 3.67 [1.71-7.88]) were significantly associated with the practice of nurses.

Conclusion: Less than half of nurses had good knowledge and practice in postoperative wound care and several factors contribute to its improvement. Upgrading the nurse's knowledge and practice towards postoperative wound care is essential in preventing postoperative wound infection.