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 < 0.001.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.