Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Management of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in National Hospital, Sri Lanka
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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Management of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in National Hospital, Sri Lanka
Mohommad, S. R.; Kanchana, W. V. N.; Madumali, W. D.; Gunarathna, D. A. M. M. S.; Iddagoda, I. H. L. G.; Dharmarathna, H. H. N. D.; Perera, A. C. H.
Citation:Mohommad, S. R. , Kanchana, W. V. N. , Madumali, W. D. , Gunarathna, D. A. M. M. S. , Iddagoda, I. H. L. G. , Dharmarathna, H. H. N. D. , & Perera, A. C. H. (2020). Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Management of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in National Hospital, Sri Lanka. 3rd Research Symposium of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka, 45.
Date:2020-10-02
Abstract:
Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is resistant to beta-lactam
antibiotics. Infections with MRSA increases the mortality of patients greater than due to
infections with methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Healthcare workers seems to be a
main mode of spreading MRSA within healthcare systems.
Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices among Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
nurses at National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) regarding the managment of MRSA
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 ICUs in NHSL, among 265
nurses. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive
statistics and Chi-square test was performed for data analysis using SPSS version 24.
Results: Majority were females (87.2%), Sinhalese (98.9%) and married (62.6%). Majority
have been educated up to diploma (82.6%) and 68.7% were in nursing grade III. The 69% had
working experience of less than 10 years. Findings revealed that 52% nurses are having very
good knowledge, 87% are having very good practices and 43.3% are having moderate attitudes
regarding MRSA management. Majority knew, MRSA is a gram positive bacterium and hand
hygine is the most important measure in disease prevention. Two third (65%) accepted that
healthcare providers are highly involved in disease spreading. Around 72% was aware on
treatment of MRSA skin carriage with topical or oral antibiotics. Awareness on barrier nursing
was satisfactory among 77%. The 62% were aware of importance of personnel protective
equipment and dedicated equipment in patient care. There was a significant relationship
between knowledge on MRSA with grade (p = 0.02) and years of experience (p = 0.01).
Conclusions: Knowledge and practices regarding MRSA among ICU nurses at NHSL was
satisfactory and the knowledge was directly influenced by the yeasrs of experience and grade.