Nursing students' knowledge and practice of infection control in Burns and Medical-Surgical Units at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, 2019

Abstract

Context: Nursing students form a larger percentage among the health-care team. Therefore, for any infection control policies in the hospital to be effective; they must be put into consideration. Aims: This study sought to find out the level of knowledge and practice of infection control (KPIC) among student nurses posted to Medical-Surgical and Burns Unit, and also determine if knowledge level will statistically predict the practice of infection control. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted on student nurses posted to Burns and Medical-Surgical Unit of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, 2019. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 100 student nurses who were posted to Medical-Surgical and Burn Units through census method and KPIC questionnaires were administered. Statistical Analysis Used: Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation coefficient at 0.05 significant levels. Results: The nursing students had low knowledge and do not practice infection prevention with mean score of 15.38 (3.32) and 14.17 (2.80), respectively. The result also revealed that there is a significant relationship between KPIC among nursing students using Spearman's correlation coefficient, which showed P Conclusion: The level of KPIC measures was poor among nursing students, and those who are knowledgeable about infection control also have high compliance to infection control; we, therefore, recommend laborious training on infection control measures of nursing students prior to clinical posting.