Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward infection control precautions among nurses in Palestinian hospitals

Abstract

Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are common complications in healthcare services, often caused by unsystematic antibiotic use. Despite advancements in medical care and technologies, the burden of HAIs continues to increase globally. Thus, this study purposed to evaluate the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward infection control precautions among nurses in Palestinian hospitals and identify the predictors of practices of infection control precautions. Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted on 285 nurses who work at Palestinian hospitals in the West Bank. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data during the period from November 2022 to January 2023. Results: The results revealed that 95.8 % of the participants endorsed good knowledge levels, 83.5 % reported positive attitude levels, and 91.2 % endorsed good practice levels toward infection control precautions. Also, gender as being female, attending a training program on infection control, and having good knowledge of infection control precautions were the main factors influencing practices of infection control precautions. Conclusions: It is necessary to maintain nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward infection control precautions by continuously conducting training workshops about infection control updating knowledge, and enhancing the work environment by implementing infection control policies and guidelines and providing sufficient resources and equipment to ensure safe practices.