Nurses' Knowledge of Evidence-Based Preventive Measures for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Kiambu County Referral Hospitals, Kenya

Abstract

BACKGROUND Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) despite established preventive guidelines. Nurses play a key role in implementing prevention strategies, educating patients, and ensuring evidence-based practices. However, many lack sufficient expertise in this area. This study evaluated nurses' knowledge of evidence-based CAUTI prevention measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was part of a larger quasi-experimental research. The setting was adult medical and surgical wards in Kiambu and Thika County Referral Hospitals in Kiambu County in Kenya. The census method was used to recruit 83 nurses from these wards based on pre-defined inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a pretested researcher-developed knowledge questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and compare the results. RESULTS Nurses in Kiambu and Thika county referral hospitals demonstrated poor knowledge of evidence-based measures to prevent CAUTIs. The mean knowledge scores were 57.52% (SD = 11.48) and 56.98% (SD = 10.80), respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (χ²=0.002, p=0.968). Overall, 87.95% (73/83) of participants scored below the 70% pass mark, highlighting gaps across all four key areas of CAUTI prevention: appropriate catheter use, proper insertion techniques, catheter maintenance, and timely removal. Only 12.05% (10/83) met the recommended benchmark, as set by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Nurses’ knowledge was poor as it was below the pass mark recommended for high-risk skills such as indwelling urinary catheter maintenance. Medical-surgical nurses should be educated on current CAUTI evidence-based prevention measures to improve their knowledge and skills and ultimately reduce these infections.