PRACTICE OF ASEPTIC TECHNIQUES IN CAESAREAN WOUND DRESSING BY MIDWIVES AS RESPONDED BY MOTHERS ON CAESAREAN WOUND CARE IN ABIA STATE TEACHING HOSPITAL ABA, ABIA STATE

ABSTRACT Caesarean wound infection makes the major bulk of hospital acquired infections. Caesarean wound infection remains a challenge in underequipped rural health facilities. Midwives among other skilled care givers are responsible for Caesarean wound care and management. The aim of this study was to investigate the practice of “Aseptic Techniques” before, during and after Caesarean wound dressing as responded by Mothers on Caesarean wound care in Abia state Teaching Hospital Aba, Abia State. This in a bid to identify at what stage of Caesarean wound dressing is a Caesarean wound likely to get contaminated. All admitted Mothers on caesarean wound care were enrolled into the study. A descriptive study design was used for the study. A Practice of Aseptic Technique in Caesarean wound Dressing (PATWD) questionnaire developed by the researcher was used as instrument of data collection. 14 copies of the questionnaire were analyzed. Findings revealed that in all, majority of the Midwives had good practice of aseptic techniques before, during and after Caesarean wound dressing (Grand mean > 1.5). Nevertheless, majority of the Midwives had poor practice in using screen to limit human traffic before Caesarean wound dressing, and poor practice of changing gloves during Caesarean wound dressing (item mean < 1.5). The study concludes that Caesarean wound are more likely to get contaminated during Caesarean wound dressing (mean = 1.43 ±0.15) than before Caesarean wound dressing (mean = 1.46 ±0.16). The study recommends that periodic review of aseptic techniques in Caesarean wound dressing should be done by Midwives at regular intervals. Keywords: Practice, Aseptic, Techniques, Caesarean wound dressing and Mothers.