Introduction. Pressure ulcers, also known as decubitus ulcers (bed sores), are localized skin injuries that remain a major health problem affecting approximately 3 million adults. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of pressure ulcer among hospitalized patients in Felegehiwot referral hospital. Methods. This cross-sectional study used systematic sampling on a sample of 422 patients. The data was collected by trained data collectors through pretested checklist. Bivariate analysis was used principally and variables were then entered into multiple logistic regressions model for controlling the possible effect of confounders and the variables which have significant association were identified on the basis of OR with 95% CI and P value. Results. The finding of this study revealed that 71 (16.8%) of them had pressure ulcer. Prolonged length of stay in hospital, slight limit of sensory perception, and friction and shearing forces were significantly associated with the presence of pressure ulcer. Conclusions and Recommendations. The prevalence of pressure ulcer was high among hospitalized patients. Researches of prospective (follow-up) study required investigating the incidence and associated factors of pressure ulcer for hospitalized patients. 1. Background Pressure ulcers also known as decubitus ulcers (bed sores) are localized skin injuries that develop when soft tissue is compressed between a bony prominence and an external surface for a prolonged period of time. It leads to ischemia, cell death, and tissue necrosis, as capillaries are compressed and the blood flow is restricted [1, 2]. The cutaneous tissues become broken or destroyed, leading to progressive destruction and necrosis of underlying soft tissues. This process results in a painful and slow healing of pressure ulcer. Pressure ulcers are usually occurring over bony prominences such as sacrum, shoulders, occiput, ear lobes, elbows, and trochanters depending on patients’ position [3, 4]. The most important cause of pressure ulcers is pressure exerted for an excessive period of time. Other physical influences that can damage the skin include friction at the skin surface, shearing forces (lateral displacement of the skin, whose layers are of differing firmness), and moisture. Moisture is also associated with the development of pressure ulcer. Loss of sensory perception (impaired level of consciousness) and immobility are the main risk factors for decubitus ulcers because patients may not be aware of the discomfort and do not change their position to
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