Factors contributing to clinical nurse compliance with infection prevention and control practices: A cross-sectional study

Although healthcare-associated infection is preventable, low compliance with infection prevention and control practices has been a significant issue for hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, perceived safe environment, and compliance of clinical nurses and to identify the factors contributing to compliance with infection prevention and control practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 197 nurses who worked in university hospitals in Korea. Data were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire. Nurses correctly answered 67.4% of the questions regarding infection prevention and control knowledge, with the lowest correct scores (55%) related to multidrug-resistant organisms. Nurses demonstrated favorable attitudes toward infection prevention and control (6.5 of 8) and favorable perceptions regarding safe environment (7.75 of 9). The overall compliance score was 87.41 of 100. Nurses' attitudes, perceived safe environment, and period of clinical experience had significant positive contributions to compliance. Among employment departments, the intensive care unit was associated with higher compliance. Our findings indicate that institutional support for safe environments should be combined with ongoing education for improving knowledge and attitudes of nurses, especially in general wards.