Title:
FACTORS INFLUENCING INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL AMONG PATIENTS AND THEIR RELATIVES ON THE ADULT SURGICAL WARD AT THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL.

Authors:
Mphande Moses, Katiba Aubrey, Mulwani Diana Bubala, Musonda Chanda, Nyengele Esther and Wahila Ruth

Abstract:
Infection Prevention (IP) and control is a programme which prevents cross infection between patients/relatives and health professionals and vice-versa. Approximately 5% of all patients develop an infection during their stay in the hospital (Conlone and Syndman, 2000). Patient and relatives participation in IP and control is a key component in health care provision as they are the core players in their own care; hence the need for consented infection prevention and control practices among patients and their relatives in addition to measures carried out by health care professionals. Despite efforts by the Ministry of Health in implementation of IP and Control measures among patients and their relatives during their hospitalization, there is still an increase in nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence infection prevention and control among patients and their relatives on the adult surgical wards at the University Teaching Hospital. It was hypothesized that there is a relationship between knowledge, availability of materials and utilization of IP and control measures by patients and their relatives. This study was a descriptive cross section research design that was designed to discover new knowledge as little was known about factors that influence infection prevention and control among patients and their relatives at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka. A semistructured interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 169 respondents aged 18 years and above. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 computer programme was used to analyse the information.