Nursing Wound Care Practices and Their Association with Surgical Site Infections at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, 2025

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between nursing wound care practices and the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) among postoperative patients at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in 2025. Surgical site infections remain a significant challenge to patient safety, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where healthcare systems often face resource constraints. In Zimbabwe, SSIs continue to contribute to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and preventable morbidity. Despite the central role nurses’ play in postoperative care, there has been limited empirical evidence linking their day-to-day wound care practices to infection outcomes within local hospital contexts. This study was therefore undertaken to bridge this gap by assessing nursing practices and determining how they influence the development of SSIs. An analytical cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study and was conducted between October 2025 and April 2026 in the surgical wards of the hospital. The study population comprised nurses directly involved in wound care and postoperative patient records. A census approach was used to include all 60 eligible nurses, ensuring comprehensive representation, while 150 patient records were selected through systematic random sampling. Data collection was carried out using three key instruments: a structured questionnaire to assess nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices; an observation checklist to evaluate actual wound care procedures; and an SSI surveillance form to extract relevant clinical data from patient records. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while inferential techniques, including chi-square tests and binary logistic regression, were applied to determine significant associations between variables, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05. The findings revealed notable inconsistencies in adherence to recommended infection prevention practices. While some nurses demonstrated good knowledge of SSI prevention, gaps were observed in the consistent application of aseptic techniques, hand hygiene compliance, and proper documentation of wound care procedures. Additionally, resource-related challenges, such as shortages of sterile dressing materials and limited access to infection control supplies, were identified as key barriers affecting practice. The prevalence of SSIs among postoperative patients was found to be considerable, underscoring the ongoing burden of infection within the hospital setting. Importantly, statistical analysis showed significant associations between suboptimal nursing practices and increased risk of SSI occurrence. Certain practices, particularly inadequate hand hygiene and improper use of sterile materials, emerged as strong independent predictors of infection even after controlling for patient and surgical factors. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that nursing wound care practices play a critical role in influencing surgical site infection outcomes. The findings highlight the need for strengthening infection prevention and control measures through continuous professional training, improved supervision, and consistent adherence to established guidelines. Furthermore, addressing resource constraints by ensuring the availability of essential supplies is vital for enabling nurses to perform effectively. It is recommended that hospital management implement targeted quality improvement initiatives, including routine monitoring of wound care practices and reinforcement of infection control protocols. These measures are essential for reducing SSI rates, improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare delivery. Keywords: Surgical site infections, wound care practices, nursing care, infection prevention practices Postoperative Care