Prevalence and Associated Factors of Pressure Ulcer among Adult Inpatients in Wolaita Sodo University Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background:  Pressure ulcers are areas of localized cellular damage to the skin and underlying tissues, caused by pressure, shearing, and frictional forces.  The prevalence of pressure ulcers can range anywhere from 0% to over 38% depending on the sector, from general or University Hospitals to home care to nursing homes.Objective: To assess prevalence and predictors of pressure ulcer among adult inpatients in Wolaitta Sodo University Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia 2015. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to April 30, 2015 in Wolaita Sodo University Teaching Hospital. The total of 239 inpatients were selected by using systematic sampling technique from each ward. Data were collected by trained data collector pretested structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1, edited and cleaned for inconsistencies and analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. P-values less than 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals were used to determine associations between independent and dependent variables. Results: This study found that 32 inpatients developed pressure ulcer among 239 inpatients, with the prevalence of 13.4%. Application of the multiple logistic regression technique showed that the presence of pressure ulcer were significantly associated with Diabetes (AOR=4.116;95% (CI=2.135,6.884), absence of change of patient position by nurses (AOR=3.20;95%CI=1.34,6.23),bed ridden patients (AOR=3.01;95%CI=1.30,4.456), Anti depressant users (AOR=6.016;95%CI=1.420, 6.652), duration of hospital stay >=21days (AOR=4.67; 95% CI=1.98,12.00), Very limited sensory, perception (AOR=2.773;95%CI=1.244,4.64) activity status (bedbound) (AOR=2.34;95%CI=3.24,4.13) and friction and shear problems (AOR=2.2;95%CI=1.85, 15.79).Conclusion: The prevalence of pressure ulcer was high among hospitalized patients. Prolonged length of stay in hospital, problem of sensory perception, activity status, and general condition of the patients, patient’s principal diagnosis, and medications in use, change of patient’s position and friction and shearing forces were significantly associated with the presence of pressure ulcer.

Keywords: Pressure ulcer, prevalence, adult inpatients, associated factors.