Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge Attitude and Practice regarding Infection Controls in Intensive Care Unit at Hospitals in Kirkuk City-Iraq

Abstract

Infection control are the cornerstone of infection prevention and control programs, especially healthcare-associated infection (HCAI), because of their importance in reducing mortality and morbidity for patients, protecting health care workers, reducing the financial burden for both the patient and health care facilities, as well as reducing the period of hospitalization of patients. The study's objective is to assess the nurse's knowledge, Attitude and practice regarding Infection Controls in Intensive Care Unit. A Quantitative(descriptive and observational) design are used in the current study, A nonprobability (convenient) sample of 68 nurses were participated from Intensive Care units, at Azadi Teaching , Kirkuk General and Maternity, Pediatric and Gynecology Hospital in Kirkuk city. The present study shows that Most of the participants were 25-29 years old, male, single, bachelors’ science of nursing degree, 1-2 years of experience in intensive care unit and not received any training course about infection control. The nurses had good levels of knowledge about infection control (95%), attitude (78.57%) and practice (66.67%). There were a significant differences between mean of nurses' knowledge about infection control and years of experience (p=0.013) and between nurses practice and who exposed to infection while working (p=0.027). But no significant differences were found between nurse’s attitude and all other socio-demographic variables. Continuing education, training and providing scientific booklet and publication about the infection control in intensive care unit are also recommended.