ASSESSMENT OF SSI PREVENTION KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG NURSES AND MIDWIVES IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This cross-sectional study, conducted from December 15, 2023, to October 11, 2024, assessed awareness and practices regarding surgical site infection (SSI) prevention among 324 nurses at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Pakistan. Participants included nurses working in obstetrics, gynecology, orthopaedic, surgical, and operation theater wards. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 with descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests. Most participants were female, married, aged 26–30, held nursing degrees, and worked in the OT. Overall, 82.41% demonstrated acceptable awareness of SSI prevention, with no major subgroup differences. Significant associations were found between awareness and practice (p = 0.007), and between ward type and practice level (p < 0.0001), with the orthopaedic ward showing the highest rate of inadequate practices.