Effectiveness of Eye Care Training of Critical Care Nurses on Practices Regarding Management of Ocular Surface Diseases in Two National Referral Hospitals in Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ajhmn.2911Keywords:
Ocular Surface Diseases, Critical Care Nursing, Eye Care Training, Intensive Care Unit, KenyaAbstract
Purpose: Ocular surface diseases (OSD) are common among critically ill patients, with global prevalence ranging from 20–42% and higher rates reported in low- and middle-income countries. Impaired eyelid closure, reduced blink reflex, and tear film instability predispose patients to corneal injury, infection, and vision loss. Despite this burden, up to 50–62% of essential eye care practices are omitted in intensive care units, largely due to inadequate nurse training and lack of standardized protocols.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in two national referral hospitals in Kenya: Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (intervention site) and Kenyatta National Hospital (control site). A census sample of 126 nurses (intervention n=42; control n=84) was included. Data were collected before and after intervention using validated questionnaires and observational checklists following six structured training sessions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Chi-square and independent t-tests were applied, with significance set at p<0.05. Effect sizes were estimated using risk difference (RD) and Cohen’s h.
Findings: At baseline, over 75% of nurses had no prior eye care training. Post-intervention, significant improvements were observed in the intervention group: eyelid closure assessment increased from 0% to 56.7% (RD=0.567; h=1.23; p=0.006), dry cornea identification from 0% to 70% (RD=0.70; h=1.57), and identification of OSD risk factors from 8.8% to 63.3% (RD=0.545; h=1.18; p=0.005). Eye lubrication improved from 5.9% to 66.7% (RD=0.608; h=1.32), while eyelid taping increased from 2.9% to 43.3% (RD=0.404; h=0.96; p<0.001).
Implications to Theory, Practice, and Policy: Structured eye care training significantly improves nurses’ competence in OSD management, with large effect sizes observed across key practices. Integration of standardized protocols and continuous professional development is essential to sustain improvements and enhance patient outcomes in critical care settings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Chelogoi Eunice , Karanja S , Nyaberi J , Sitati S , Nderi G
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