Knowledge and practice of infection control measures among nurses in Jordan

Abstract

Background/Aims Healthcare-associated infections are a global concern, with effective infection control measures being crucial in hospital settings. Nurses' knowledge and practice of infection control measures play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of infection control measures among nurses in Jordan. Methods A non-experimental, descriptive cross-sectional design was used in a not-for-profit, specialised cancer centre and two private hospitals in Jordan. A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 267 nurses. The questionnaire was divided into three parts. The first part collected sociodemographic data. The second part consisted of 17 multiple-choice questions assessing knowledge of infection control measures, with a score range of 0–17. The third part comprised 16 questions on a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree), with a higher mean score indicating better self-reported infection control practice. Responses were analysed using standard statistical methods, with a P value of 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results The majority of the sample were women (65.2%), with a mean age of 26.7±2.1 years. The mean total knowledge score was 13.81 out of 17.00 and the mean practice score was 4.02 out of 5.00. Significant differences were found across groups depending on hospital type (private vs not for profit), area of practice, years of experience, level of education and whether respondents had received specific training. Conclusions Level of education, training and specific workplace factors may all affect nurses' knowledge and practice of infection control measures. This study highlights the need for strategic educational and training programmes for nurses to improve patient safety.