Abstract
BackgroundThis study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding disinfection procedures among nurses in Italian hospitals.MethodsA face-to-face interview gathered the following information: demographic and practice characteristics; knowledge about the healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the disinfection practices; attitudes towards the utility of guidelines/protocols and perception of the risks of acquiring/transmitting HAIs; compliance with antisepsis/disinfection procedures; and sources of information.ResultsOnly 29% acknowledged that urinary and respiratory tract infections were the two most common HAIs and this knowledge was significantly higher in those with a higher level of education. Attitudes towards the utility of guidelines/protocols for disinfection procedures showed a mean score of 9.1. The results of the linear regression model indicated a more positive attitude in female nurses, in those with a lower number of years of activity, and in those needing additional information about disinfection procedures. Nurses with higher educational level and with a higher perception of risk of transmitting an infectious disease while working were more likely to perform appropriate antisepsis of the surgical wound and handwashing before and after medication.ConclusionsPlan of successful prevention activities about HAIs and provide pointers to help optimize disinfection procedures and infection prophylaxis and management are needed.
Highlights
This study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding disinfection procedures among nurses in Italian hospitals
All hospitals reported having a healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) control committee and they have similar characteristics regarding the availability of qualified HAIs control nurses and of guidelines for hygiene and disinfection procedures
The vast majority of nurses, with frequencies ranging from 77.6% to 96.4%, correctly agreed that the non appropriate application of disinfection procedures increase the risk for a healthcare workers (HCWs) of acquiring/transmitting from/to a patient a HAI
Summary
This study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding disinfection procedures among nurses in Italian hospitals. The issue of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continues to be one of the most important public health problems in many countries throughout the world. These infections remain one of the most common complications affecting hospitalized patients and results in morbidity, mortality, and additional costs [1,2,3]. The adherence to guidelines for disinfection is an essential ingredient for activities aimed at preventing the HAIs. among the HCWs, nurses have a critical role to play in prevention efforts and they are an important population to study their level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour regarding disinfection. Up to date these issues have received only limited attention [15,16,17,18,19,20], and obtaining information may be useful for developing programs to increase compliance
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