Assessment of knowledge and practice of nurses regarding infection prevention and associated factors at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Healthcare-Acquired Infections have a major negative impact on the global healthcare delivery system, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality and excessive healthcare resource utilization. Infection prevention and control is the main healthcare agenda nationwide. However, it remains a challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goals regarding healthcare issues. This study aims to assess nurses' knowledge and practice regarding infection prevention and associated factors at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out from May 1 2021 to June 30 2021 at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. A total of 219 nurses participated in this study. A stratified random sampling technique with a pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the knowledge and practice of nurses regarding infection prevention. Result: The current study shows that the overall knowledge and practice of nurses regarding infection prevention are 59.4% (95% CI: 53.0-65.8) and 53% (95% CI: 46.6-59.4), respectively. Educational level of diploma [AOR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.67-0.83], years of work experience ≤ 10 [AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-9.28], and being trained in infection prevention [AOR: 2.5 (2.3-8.0)] were found to be factors that affect the knowledge of nurses about infection prevention. Moreover, ≤ 10 years of work experience [AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-10.1] and being trained in infection prevention [AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.94-13.5] were found to be factors that affect the practice of nurses regarding infection prevention. Conclusions and recommendations: Most nurses were knowledgeable and had good practices. However, a substantial proportion of nurses had inadequate knowledge and practice regarding infection prevention. The nurses' knowledge and practice were associated with years of work experience and status of training on infection prevention. Moreover, the education level of nurses was another predictor variable of the knowledge of nurses. Therefore, healthcare workers in the hospital setting should adhere to the national infection prevention protocols. The policy designers should provide training for nurses on infection prevention to improve knowledge and practice in this area. Furthermore, to attain more detailed information, future research should involve a qualitative study.