Abstract:
Background: Pressure ulcer is defined as a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue
usually over a bony prominence as a result of pressure, or pressure in with shear and/or friction.
People most at risk of pressure ulcers are those with a medical condition that limits their ability
to change positions or co-morbidity confines them to a bed for a long time. Once it developed
pressure ulcer is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, and also
require high cost for treatment.
Objectives; The main objective of the study was to assess the incidence and associated factors of
pressure ulcers among patients admitted to the adult Intensive care unit of Jimma Medical
Center, southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1 to December
31, 2021. A pre-designed structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and
some clinical data. In addition to these, the Braden scale risk assessment tool was used to
evaluate for pressure ulcer risk during admission. Data were analyzed by using Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive analysis, bivariate, and
multivariate logistic regression were applied to see the association between dependent and
independent factors.
Results: The overall incidence of pressure ulcers among adult intensive critical care admitted
patients was 16.2%(22). Based on the EPUAP grading scale 11(50%) developed stage II
pressure ulcers (PU) and the sacral anatomical site was the main one. length of stay≥21 days
[OR 6.53(OR 1.02-41.9), P=0.048], not position change [OR 3.94(1.05-14.8), P=0.043],
sedation [5.07(OR 1.32-19.51), P=0.018], vasopressor[OR 5.06(1.29-19.92), P=0.02], and
friction problem[OR 6.32(1.1-36.37),95%CI, p=0.039] had significant association with
pressure ulcer.
Conclusion: In this study incidence of pressure ulcers was high. Prolonged length of stay in the
ICU, the problem of friction and shearing forces, change of patient’s position by nurses, use of
vasopressors, and sedatives were significantly associated with the presence of pressure ulcers.
Healthcare providers’ particularly nurse’s contribution is vital in the prevention of PU for ICU
admitted patients by frequent positioning and maintaining head of the bed at lower possible
level. Also decreasing depth or duration of sedation, decrease LOS in ICU, and appropriate use
of vasopressors are.
