TITLE:
Healthcare-Associated Infections: Experiences and Perceptions of Nurses at the Ziniaré District Hospital in Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Marc Souli, Noufou Gustave Nana, Soutongnoma Safiata Kaboré, Dieudonné Soubeiga, Hervé Hien
KEYWORDS:
Perceptions, Nurses, Healthcare-Associated Infections, Phenomenology
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.13 No.11,
November
29,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction:
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a worldwide concern because of
their magnitude and their human and financial cost. While nurses’
non-compliance of hygiene and asepsis measures is questioned, the rationale
behind it is not fully understood. We hypothesized that nurses’ experiences and
perceptions are one of the reasons for their non-compliance with prevention
recommendations. Also, nurses’ caring approach would play an important role in
patient safety. The objective of this study was to describe nurses’ experiences
and perceptions of HAIs in a district hospital in Burkina Faso with the aim of
developing a culture of safety in health care practices. Methods: Qualitative
data were collected through unstructured interviews with twenty nurses from the Ziniaré
district hospital. Data analysis followed the qualitative phenomenological
method according to Giorgi. Results: Phenomenological analysis yielded the
following themes: “an ignored reality”; “a denied responsibility”; and “a
vulnerable problem”. These results show that nurses’ perception of the extent
and seriousness of HAIs is low, and that they deny responsibility for their
occurrence. As a result, HAIs are not always perceived as a concern. However,
nurses deplore the situation, but remain optimistic about resolving the
problem. Conclusion: These nurses’ perceptions of HAIs could explain their
non-compliance with prevention recommendations. Corrective action could be
redirected by raising awareness, continuing training, improving working conditions
and involving all players, including patients and their families, in the fight
against HAIs.