Abstract:
Background: Endotracheal suctioning (ETS) is an invasive procedure performed to patients
with artificial airway aiming at clearing accumulated pulmonary secretions. It can cause
infection of the lower airway if not aseptically done. In studies conducted Nurses expressed
adequate knowledge of the procedure while inadequate infection prevention and control
practices (IPC) were observed for the few items assessed.
Objective: The of the study was asses intensive care nurses’ IPC practice on ETS by using a
comprehensive checklist and influencing factors in consultant hospitals in Dar es Salaam.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design involving random sample of 129
ICU nurses from Muhimbili National Hospital, Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute and Jakaya
Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam. Among the 129 participants, 43% (n=55) were
assessed for IPC practices on ETS using a comprehensive checklist prepared by the researcher
through adapting the constructs from guidelines for ETS. All 129 participants were surveyed
for hospital factors influencing a practice using a structured questionnaire. Data from both
observation and survey were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics where
by frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation used to analyze data, association of
IPC practice and individual related factors was determined by using chi-square test, logistic
regression tests was performed to determine significant association.
Results: Majority (60%) who were observed for IPC practice on ETS scored 10 points
(66.7%) which was a cutoff point for a desired level. Level of education in nursing whereby,
those with bachelor and masters level show significant association with IPC practice (AOR=5,
95% CI=1.14-22.44, p value=0.03). Participants reported various factors within the hospital
that influence IPC practice positively and negatively.
Conclusion and recommendations: The observed IPC practice on ETS was desirable. There
was a significant association between individual level of education in nursing and IPC
practice. Hospital management should make sure that intensive care nurses are adequately
supplied with equipment for ETS in order to maximize IPC practices. ICU nurses need to
utilize effectively the available resources in order to maximize IPC practices for the better
outcome of patients.
