A Comparative Study: Knowledge and Practices amongst Post-Operative Patients Regarding Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) between Private and Public Tertiary Care Setup in Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) is a major global safety concern for the health system as it increases mortality, morbidity, and length of hospital stay and contributes to the economic burden. These infections are prevalent in hospitals of developing countries such as Pakistan, due to limited resources, unsafe infection control practices and under reporting. However, post-operative patients are more prone to these infections due to immunocompromised state, antibiotic resistance, and most importantly lack of awareness regarding HAIs and their respective preventive measures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to highlight some of the serious but avoidable aspects of this largely ignored but important issue of HAIs in public and private tertiary care hospitals by assessing and comparing the need of knowledge and awareness in post-operative patients to minimize risks which in turn will decrease incidence, morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among post-operative patients of Liaquat National Hospital and Civil Hospital (private and public tertiary care hospital, respectively), over a period of 1 year (July 2017-2018) in Karachi. Individual interviews following verbal consent were taken using a pre-coded questionnaire, which was divided into 3 sections to analyze the social and demographic, knowledge and practices of the patients. We excluded patients with impaired comprehension, less than 15 years of age and those who were reluctant to participate. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.22.0. Pearson’s chi-square was used as the primary statistical test. Results: Three-fifty post-operative patients from each, public and private hospital were enrolled. The mean age was found to be 38.41 ± 16.57 years and 40.3% of patients were uneducated. Knowledge regarding the modes of spread, types and risk factors for hospital acquired infections was significantly associated with patients admitted in private hospital, female gender and a higher education level.