Effectiveness of Aseptic Protocols in Prevention of Surgical Site Infection Post-surgery in Selected Veterinary Practices in Kenya

Abstract

Aseptic techniques are procedures that reduce microbial contamination in surgery to prevent or minimize the risks of post-surgery infection in order to achieve optimal wound healing. This demands strict compliance and practice to all the essential aseptic protocols. The study was designed were to carry out a survey in selected veterinary practices in Kenya on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of aseptic procedures; determine the prevalence and factors associated with surgical site and nosocomial infections, the effectiveness of surgical scrub practices, and bacterial sensitivity to various types and concentrations of commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants. This was done through the administration of cross-sectional questionnaire survey to selected veterinarians running practices in urban towns in order to acquire data for objective 1, 2 and 3, followed by an in-vitro experimental study for objective 4. The overall response rate for the questionnaire was 30% (49/164), and 59.2% (n=29) stated that aseptic techniques were essential. More than 70% of the veterinarian respondents practice various surgical field preparation procedures including shaving, scrubbing, disinfection and draping. Generally, between 69% and 87% of them practice hand scrubbing, disinfection, wearing of gowns and gloves for the surgeon and assistant surgeon. Further, 80.8% (n=21) of the respondents disinfect designated surgical working spaces regularly. The common antiseptics of choice by respondents were povidone iodine 85.7% (n=42), 70% ethyl alcohol 85.7% (n=42) and chlorohexidine gluconate 79.6% (n=39). A total of 75.5% (n= 37) of the respondents affirmed to having experienced surgical site infections with 91.8% (n=45) administering antibiotics routinely postoperatively. Univariate logistic regression at p≤0.3, revealed 5 out of 16 variables as the factors associated with surgical site infections...