Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Nurses Regarding Infection Control Measures in Tertiary Care Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Background: Infection control has been identified as an area with immense potential for causing harm to patient safety on account of high-volume healthcare delivery systems, for which nursing practice remains crucial for preventing the transmission of infection. The aims and objectives of this study are to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice related to infection control practices among nursing personnel in Johar Poly Clinics. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 105 registered nursing professionals who actively worked in healthcare delivery systems at Johar Poly Clinics. The structured self-administered questionnaire categorized the information collected from nursing professionals regarding demographic variables, level of knowledge related to infection control practices, attitude toward infection prevention practices, and infection control practices. Descriptive as well as inferential statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate variables influencing effective infection control practices among nursing professionals. Clinical Knowledge: The findings from this study demonstrated high-level knowledge among nursing professionals related to infection control practices, for which they showed positive attitudes toward infection prevention practices too. However, practices among just 40% nursing professionals were reported to be effective. Higher-level nursing knowledge, attendance to infection control practices workshop, and nursing professionals with higher experiences were reported to be crucial influencing variables for effective infection control practices among nursing professionals (p < 0.05). Hand hygienic practices were found to be high, but deficiencies were noted in biomedical disposable practices as well as personal protective equipment practices