Healthcare-associated infections in Kenya : An interview study about nurses’ experience

Abstract: Background: Healthcare associated infection (HCAI) is a global issue and one of the most frequent adverse events in healthcare. HCAI is a major burden for patients’ and leads to added pain and higher cost for the society. The most important measure to prevent the transmission of HCAI is hand hygiene. In developing countries can insufficient equipment and supplies, lack of financial support and understaffed hospital units have a negative effect for the patients safety and makes it difficult to reduce HCAI. Aim: The aim of the study was to get knowledge about Kenyan nurses’ experiences of healthcare-associated infections. Method: The author used a qualitative method. Individual semi-structured interviews were made with four nurses at a government financial hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. The interviews were analyzed with a manifest analysis. Result: The analysis of the transcribed text made five categories, Education for healthcare workers, students and patients, Lack of equipment and supplies, The issues with crosscontamination, Prevention of HCAI and Understaffed hospital. The results were discussed with Dorothea Orem’s Self-care Theory with a focus on the Theory of Nursing system and other studies relating to the results. Conclusion: Knowledge about HCAI is one of the first steps to be able to reduce infections. Cross-contamination is the main risk factor for HCAI and multiple interventions are an effective strategy to successfully increase hand hygiene.