Nursing students’ knowledge and practice of infection control precautions : an educational intervention

Abstract

Aim. This paper is a report of the effectiveness of a purpose-designed education
program in improving undergraduate nursing students’ understanding and practice
of infection control precautions.
Background. The severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003 highlighted
that healthcare workers were under-prepared for such an epidemic. While many
in-service education sessions were arranged by institutions in response to the outbreak,
preservice nursing education has overlooked preparation for handling such
infectious disease epidemics.
Method. A quasi-experimental design was used and a 16-hour, purpose-designed
infection control education programme was implemented for preservice nursing
students in southern Taiwan. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed at
three time points during the period September 2005 to April 2006 to examine the
sustainability and effectiveness of the intervention.
Results. A total of 175 preservice nursing students participated in the study.
Following the education programme, students in the intervention group showed a
statistically significant improvement across time in their knowledge of these
precautions [F(2, 180) = 13Æ53, P < 0Æ001] and confidence in resolving infectionrelated
issues [F(1Æ79, 168Æ95) = 3Æ24] when compared with those in the control
group.
Conclusion. To improve nursing students’ capacity in responding to infectious
epidemics, an educational programme that integrates the theme of infection
precautions, learning theory and teaching strategies is recommended for all
nursing institutes.