Background of the Study
Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are essential for maintaining healthcare safety and preventing the spread of infectious diseases in hospital environments (WHO, 2024). IPC protocols, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, waste management, and patient isolation, are designed to minimize the risk of infections among patients and healthcare workers (Afolabi & Hassan, 2023). However, despite global and national efforts to promote IPC practices, many Nigerian hospitals still experience low compliance rates, resulting in high rates of hospital-acquired infections (Eze & Yusuf, 2023).
Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, as a tertiary healthcare institution, has established IPC guidelines to ensure patient and staff safety. Nurses, as primary caregivers, are expected to implement these protocols effectively. However, multiple challenges hinder their ability to adhere to IPC standards, including inadequate staffing, poor access to protective equipment, limited IPC training, and a high patient workload (Olawale et al., 2024). These barriers not only compromise infection control but also put healthcare workers and patients at risk of contracting infections.
Despite the importance of IPC in hospitals, little research has been conducted to evaluate the specific challenges that nurses face in implementing infection prevention measures at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina. This study aims to identify these challenges and provide recommendations for improving infection control practices in the hospital.
Statement of the Problem
The increasing prevalence of hospital-acquired infections in Nigeria highlights gaps in the implementation of infection prevention protocols (WHO, 2024). At Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, reports suggest that nurses encounter multiple challenges that prevent full adherence to IPC guidelines (Musa & Ibrahim, 2023). Factors such as insufficient IPC training, inadequate access to hand hygiene facilities, and heavy workloads contribute to poor compliance among nurses (Okonkwo & Adeola, 2024).
While IPC policies exist, their practical application remains inconsistent, raising concerns about the effectiveness of infection prevention strategies. Without addressing these challenges, the risk of HAIs will continue to rise, endangering both patients and healthcare workers. This study seeks to examine the barriers that nurses face in implementing infection prevention protocols and propose solutions for strengthening IPC practices at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina.
Objectives of the Study
1. To identify the challenges faced by nurses in implementing infection prevention protocols at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina.
2. To assess the impact of these challenges on infection control efforts.
3. To propose strategies for improving nurses’ adherence to infection prevention measures.
Research Questions
1. What are the major challenges nurses face in implementing infection prevention protocols?
2. How do these challenges affect infection control efforts at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina?
3. What strategies can be implemented to enhance nurses’ adherence to infection prevention measures?
Research Hypotheses
1. There is a significant relationship between nurses’ workload and their compliance with infection prevention protocols.
2. Limited access to protective equipment negatively affects nurses' ability to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
3. Regular IPC training significantly improves nurses' adherence to infection prevention measures.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on nurses at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, examining the challenges they face in implementing infection prevention protocols. It will analyze factors affecting compliance, hospital infection rates, and strategies for improving IPC adherence. The study will not assess the role of other healthcare professionals or evaluate specific patient infection outcomes. Limitations may include reliance on self-reported data and variations in IPC enforcement across different hospital departments.
Definitions of Terms
• Infection Prevention Protocols: Standardized guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of infections in healthcare settings.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Protective gear such as gloves, masks, and gowns used to prevent the spread of infections.
• Hand Hygiene Compliance: The degree to which healthcare workers adhere to proper handwashing and sanitization practices.
• Workload: The number of patients and tasks assigned to nurses within a given period.
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