Project – Nursing intervention and the use of standard precautions in the promotion of infection control in General Hospital

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background to the Study

The implementation of nursing interventions, particularly the consistent application of standard precautions, is pivotal in infection control within healthcare settings. Standard precautions—such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection practices, and proper handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces—are foundational in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), these practices are essential for all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status. In hospitals like Agbarho General Hospital, where resources may be limited, the effectiveness of these precautions largely depends on nursing compliance and institutional support.

Numerous studies have highlighted the role of nurses as frontline defenders against infection. Nurses have a direct and frequent interface with patients, making their adherence to standard precautions critical. According to Allegranzi and Pittet (2009), nurses’ knowledge and compliance with infection control measures significantly influence the overall incidence of HAIs in hospitals. In settings like Agbarho, where patient volume and environmental conditions may challenge hygiene practices, the emphasis on consistent and thorough application of these precautions becomes even more vital. Furthermore, research has shown that proper training, availability of PPE, and institutional infection control policies greatly impact nursing behaviors and outcomes (Tvedt et al., 2019).

Educational interventions targeted at nursing staff are among the most effective strategies to improve infection control. Ogoina et al. (2015) assert that ongoing training programs, workshops, and supervision enhance nurses’ awareness and motivation to follow standard precautions. These interventions not only improve knowledge but also address attitudes and perceptions about infection control. In Agbarho General Hospital, a structured education and reinforcement program may help bridge gaps in practice caused by workload or complacency. This underscores the need for hospital management to invest in continuous professional development for nurses.

Moreover, the institutional culture and administrative support play a significant role in facilitating or hindering effective infection control practices. Research by Nofal et al. (2017) indicates that in hospitals where leadership prioritizes infection prevention and provides adequate resources, compliance rates are significantly higher. Agbarho General Hospital must therefore ensure adequate supply of PPE, functional handwashing stations, and routine monitoring of compliance among staff. The presence of infection control committees and nurse-led surveillance systems can further enhance efforts to minimize infection rates.

Behavioral change theories, such as the Health Belief Model, have also been applied to explain nursing adherence to standard precautions. According to Kim et al. (2018), nurses are more likely to comply with standard precautions when they perceive a high risk of infection transmission, believe in the effectiveness of the measures, and have confidence in their ability to implement them. Interventions in Agbarho General Hospital could incorporate such behavioral frameworks to design more effective training and motivational strategies, especially in areas where non-compliance is observed.

In conclusion, the integration of nursing interventions with the consistent application of standard precautions is central to infection control in hospitals, especially in resource-constrained settings like Agbarho General Hospital. A combination of ongoing education, adequate resourcing, administrative support, and behaviorally informed strategies can significantly enhance nursing compliance and reduce HAIs. Therefore, policy makers and hospital management must prioritize these areas to improve patient outcomes and maintain a safe healthcare environment.

• Statement of the Problem

Infection control remains a critical challenge in many healthcare institutions, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) significantly contribute to patient morbidity, extended hospital stays, increased medical costs, and in severe cases, mortality. Despite global emphasis on standard precautions as a primary strategy for infection prevention, there remains a persistent gap between policy and practice in many hospitals, including Agbarho General Hospital. This gap has been partly attributed to insufficient nursing interventions, inadequate training, limited resources, and weak enforcement of infection control measures.

Nurses, being the largest group of healthcare professionals and the most consistent caregivers at the bedside, are pivotal in preventing the spread of infections. However, reports from several Nigerian hospitals indicate a low compliance rate with standard precautions such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe handling of contaminated materials. At Agbarho General Hospital, anecdotal evidence and preliminary observations suggest that these standard precautions are not consistently practiced, putting patients and staff at heightened risk of infection. The underlying reasons for this poor compliance have not been adequately investigated, and there is limited data on the role of nursing interventions in improving the situation.

Furthermore, the absence of regular training and monitoring mechanisms may contribute to nurses’ inability to adhere to standard precautions effectively. In settings where resources are scarce and workloads are high, as is the case in many public hospitals in Nigeria, nurses often prioritize urgent clinical tasks over infection prevention protocols. This raises concerns about institutional commitment to infection control and the effectiveness of current nursing interventions in reinforcing proper hygiene practices.

Another dimension to the problem is the lack of awareness and behavioral motivation among healthcare workers. While some nurses may have theoretical knowledge of infection control protocols, their attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions toward standard precautions can negatively influence their compliance. The absence of structured behavioral interventions and the failure to integrate infection control into the daily nursing routine exacerbate the problem, resulting in preventable HAIs within the hospital.

The issue is further compounded by systemic weaknesses such as inadequate supply of PPE, malfunctioning hand hygiene facilities, and poor waste disposal practices. These infrastructural challenges make it difficult for nurses to consistently adhere to infection control guidelines, even when they are motivated to do so. As a result, patients, healthcare workers, and visitors are all exposed to unnecessary risks, thereby undermining the quality of care and patient safety at Agbarho General Hospital.

Given the critical role of nurses in infection prevention, it is imperative to investigate how nursing interventions and the application of standard precautions impact infection control at Agbarho General Hospital. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to effective infection control practices will inform the development of evidence-based strategies aimed at enhancing nursing compliance, reducing HAIs, and promoting a safer healthcare environment for all stakeholders.

• Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine Nursing intervention and the use of standard precautions in the promotion of infection control in Agbarho General Hospital. The specific objectives are:

1. To examine the level of knowledge and awareness of standard precautions among nurses at Agbarho General Hospital.
2. To assess the extent to which nurses at Agbarho General Hospital apply standard precautions in their daily practice.
3. To identify the common barriers faced by nurses in implementing standard precautions for infection control.
4. To evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions in promoting compliance with standard precautions.

1.4. Research Questions

The research questions are buttressed below:

1. What is the level of knowledge and awareness of standard precautions among nurses at Agbarho General Hospital?
2. To what extent do nurses at Agbarho General Hospital apply standard precautions in their daily practice?
3. What are the common barriers faced by nurses in implementing standard precautions for infection control?
4. How effective are nursing interventions in promoting compliance with standard precautions at Agbarho General Hospital?

1.5. Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical statement of the study is buttressed below:

Ho: Nursing interventions cannot promote compliance with standard precautions

H1: Nursing interventions can promote compliance with standard precautions

1.6. Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it provides valuable insight into the critical role of nursing interventions and the consistent use of standard precautions in controlling infections within healthcare settings. Infections acquired in hospitals pose serious health threats to patients and health workers alike. By focusing on Agbarho General Hospital, this research will help to assess how effectively nurses apply infection control measures and what challenges they face, thereby contributing to efforts aimed at reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in similar settings.

The findings of this study will be beneficial to hospital management and policymakers in the healthcare sector. It will provide evidence-based information on the current state of infection control practices, which can inform policy revisions, resource allocation, and the development of effective training programs for nurses. With concrete data on compliance levels and barriers to standard precautions, hospital administrators can design targeted interventions to improve staff adherence and overall infection control outcomes.

Furthermore, the study will serve as a guide for nursing professionals by highlighting the importance of their roles in infection prevention. It will emphasize the need for continuous professional development, accountability, and the adoption of best practices in clinical settings. For nurses at Agbarho General Hospital and similar institutions, this research can help raise awareness of their responsibilities and the direct impact their actions have on patient safety.

Academically, the study adds to the growing body of literature on infection control, especially in the context of Nigerian public hospitals. It will provide a localized understanding of infection prevention challenges and successes, which is often lacking in global research. Students, researchers, and public health scholars will find this study useful as a reference for future work in infection control, nursing practice, and hospital hygiene in low-resource settings.

In public health, the significance of this study lies in its potential contribution to reducing the spread of infectious diseases within healthcare environments. As infection control is closely tied to the overall health and safety of the population, especially during outbreaks, strengthening nursing practices through research-informed interventions can improve public health outcomes and limit the burden on healthcare systems.

Lastly, this study is important for patients and their families. By identifying and addressing gaps in infection control, it helps ensure that patients receive safe and quality healthcare services. When nurses are well-informed and supported in practicing standard precautions, the risk of infections decreases, leading to shorter hospital stays, lower treatment costs, and improved trust in the healthcare system.

1.7. Scope of the Study

The study examines Nursing intervention and the use of standard precautions in the promotion of infection control in Agbarho General Hospital.

1.8. Operational Definition of Terms

1. Nursing Intervention: Nursing intervention refers to any action or treatment initiated by a nurse to improve, maintain, or restore a patient’s health. These interventions can be clinical (e.g., administering medication), educational (e.g., teaching patients about hygiene), or supportive (e.g., counseling). In the context of infection control, nursing interventions include actions taken to prevent the spread of infections, such as enforcing hygiene practices and ensuring the correct use of protective equipment.
2. Use: Use refers to the act of applying, employing, or utilizing something for a particular purpose. In this study, it specifically refers to how nurses apply or implement standard precautions during their daily work in order to prevent infections.
3. Standard Precautions: Standard precautions are a set of infection prevention practices used consistently for all patient care, regardless of a patient’s infection status. These include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, gowns), safe injection practices, respiratory hygiene, and proper handling of contaminated materials and equipment. They are designed to protect both healthcare workers and patients from infections.
4. Promotion: Promotion in this context means encouraging, supporting, or advancing a particular practice or behavior. It involves efforts to raise awareness, educate, and motivate healthcare workers to adopt and maintain infection control measures such as standard precautions.
5. Infection Control: Infection control is a discipline within healthcare that focuses on preventing and controlling the spread of infections within healthcare settings. It involves procedures and policies aimed at minimizing the risk of transmission of infectious agents among patients, healthcare workers, and visitors.

Project – Nursing intervention and the use of standard precautions in the promotion of infection control in General Hospital