Browsing by Author "Kugonza Grace"

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    Investigating The Factors Contributing To The Persistence Of Hospital-Acquired Infections At Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda.
    (Un-published Dissertation, 2024-02-08) Kugonza Grace; Amos Ronald Kalukusu
    Abstract The study investigated the factors contributing to the persistence of hospital-acquired infections in hospitals while considering Mulago National Referral Hospital as the case study. The main objective was to comprehensively investigate and understand the factors contributing to the persistence of hospital-acquired infections at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda. Three specific objectives guided the research and these were (a) to assess the prevalence and epidemiology of Hospital Acquired Infections at Mulago National Referral Hospital; (b) to determine the association between the demographic characteristics of patients and their likelihood of acquiring hospital-acquired infections; (c) to identify contributing factors to Hospital Acquired Infections at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The research adopted a descriptive design incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A comprehensive survey was conducted, involving 219 participants, to examine the interplay between demographic factors, patient perceptions, and healthcare practices concerning HAIs and data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. The key findings of the study indicate that there were statistically significant associations between demographic factors and the length of hospital stays, where individuals who stayed in the hospital for 3 days to 1 week exhibited a significantly higher chi-square (X2) value of 2.609, indicating a more substantial association with the study objectives. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 3.598 and the p-value of 0.003 suggest that this group's length of stay is statistically significant regarding the factors contributing to hospital-acquired infections. Longer hospitalization within this range appears to have a notable impact. On the other hand, individuals who stayed in the hospital for 1 to 2 weeks exhibited a chi-square (X2) value of 5.976, indicating a strong association with the study's objectives. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 4.509 and the p-value of 0.008 emphasize the significance of this group's length of stay. Prolonged hospitalization within this range is statistically significant for the persistence of hospital-acquired infections. Older patients (aged 50 and above), those with lower education levels, specific marital statuses, and gender-related factors experienced longer hospital stays, leading to an increased risk of HAIs. These findings underscore the importance of tailored infection prevention strategies for specific patient profiles. Concerning healthcare practices and patient perceptions, participants generally held positive perceptions of healthcare practices related to infection control, including antimicrobial prescribing patterns, hand hygiene, infection control protocols, and efforts to identify vulnerabilities. These positive perceptions were crucial in fostering patient trust and engagement in infection prevention efforts. The study’s implications and recommendations suggest that Mulago National Referral Hospital and healthcare facilities worldwide should include tailoring infection prevention strategies to specific patient profiles, continuous monitoring and education, patient engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and resource allocation. It was concluded that this research should be viewed as a potential source of information to support the ongoing efforts to enhance infection control practices at Mulago National Referral Hospital and provide valuable insights for healthcare facilities worldwide in their fight against hospital-acquired infections. By addressing the complex interplay between demographic factors, healthcare practices, and patient perceptions, we can move closer to a healthcare system where HAIs are minimized, patient outcomes are improved, and patient trust in healthcare providers is strengthened.