Effect of Educational Program on Nurses′ knowledge and Practices Regarding Prevention of Puerperal Sepsis

Abstract

Background Puerperal sepsis is one of the dangerous postpartum infections. It is the third most common cause of maternal deaths worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational program on nurses′ knowledge and practices regarding prevention of puerperal sepsis. Subjects and Method The study was conducted at antenatal, postnatal ward and labor unit in Obstetric and Gynecological Department of Tanta University Hospital. All nurses (50 nurses) were included in the study: (35 nurses who were working in antenatal and postnatal ward and 15 nurses who were working in labor unit). Two tools were used for data collection: Tool I Structured interview questionnaire for nurses included a. Socio-demographic characteristics of nurses, b. Nurses′ Knowledge Assessment Sheet regarding prevention of puerperal sepsis. Tool II An observational checklist for nurses’ practices. Results The mean score of knowledge as well as mean score of practices of the studied nurses regarding prevention of puerperal sepsis were increased immediately and three months after educational program with a statistical significant differences (p < 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendations The finding of the present study revealed there was significant improvement of nurses' knowledge and practices regarding prevention of puerperal sepsis during antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum period immediately and three months after educational program implementation. Consequently, it is recommended that planning in-service training programs for all nurses should be conducted in order to improve, update and refresh their knowledge and practices regarding prevention of puerperal sepsis.