Knowledge of Nursing Students on Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a significant problem in healthcare settings, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Nursing students are crucial in preventing CAUTIs, as they are often responsible for inserting and maintaining urinary catheters in patients. Objective: To assess the nursing students' knowledge regarding the prevention of CAUTIs. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional was conducted at the Horizon School of Nursing and Health Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan, over a period of two months from November to December 2022. A total of 67 nursing students were recruited using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed the students' knowledge of CAUTIs. Results: The results showed that 19% of the nursing students had low knowledge, 65% had moderate knowledge, and 16% had a high level of knowledge regarding the prevention of CAUTIs. Conclusions: The findings suggest that most nursing students have moderate knowledge regarding preventing CAUTIs prevention. Educators and administrators can use these findings to develop targeted interventions that address the gaps in knowledge and promote best practices for preventing and managing CAUTIs in nursing students.