Incidence And Risk Factors of Pressure Ulcer Among Critically Ill Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital-Main Critical Care Unit

Background: Critically ill patients are at high risk of pressure ulcer development with an incidence ranging from 7% to 71.6% across countries. Broad objective: To determine pressure ulcer incidence and risk factors among critically ill patients at Kenyatta national hospital. Design: Prospective Cohort study. Study Method: The Study is a prospective observational single-center study conducted over 3 months at Kenyatta national hospital main critical care unit. Results: The incidence of pressure ulcers was 15%. Mechanical ventilation (p=0.001), increasing sedation time (odds ratio (OR)=14.0, confidence interval (CI) 2.63 – 74.59, p=0.002) and each unit increase to the length of stay (OR=1.91, p<0.001) were independently associated with pressure ulcer development. Conclusion: Measuring incidence of pressure ulcers among critically ill patients is crucial. Mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the unit and increasing sedation time were found to be independent risk factors for pressure ulcer development.