Risk factors and prevalence of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients

The study was conducted to identify the risk factors for and management of pressure ulcers among patients hospitalized at the Makiso General Referral Hospital in Kisangani The primary objective was to determine the risk factors for pressure ulcers among hospitalized patients The study population consisted of 893 inpatients admitted to this hospital, of whom 33 inpatients with pressure ulcers were selected as the sample, representing 3.6% of the population. This was a retrospective study based on a literature review involving the examination of medical records, registers, and patient care files. The inclusion criteria for data collection were: having been hospitalized at the Makiso-Kisangani General Referral Hospital; having developed pressure ulcers at various sites; and having a complete medical record containing the various variables relevant to our study. Prolonged immobility was the primary risk factor among patients hospitalized in any hospital, regardless of the quality of care provided.