Assessment of Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Hospital-Acquired Infection Prevention in selected Private Hospitals in Chennai City

Abstract

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major concern in healthcare institutions, making nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices essential for effective infection prevention and patient safety. The present study aimed to assess nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hospital-acquired infection prevention in selected private hospitals in Chennai City. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted, involving 155 nurses selected through a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes, along with an observational checklist to assess infection prevention practices. The data were analysed using SPSS Version 25. The findings revealed that 76.8% of nurses correctly identified the factors influencing HAIs, while 72.3% were aware of the importance of standard precautions. Regarding attitudes, 94.2% agreed that antiseptic use was necessary for infection prevention, and 83.9% believed that infection control guidelines could reduce infection rates. However, variations were observed in actual practices, with only 40% consistently performing hand hygiene before and after direct patient contact and 14.8% always following guidelines for infectious waste disposal. The study highlights the need for strengthening infection prevention practices through continuous training, institutional monitoring and effective implementation of hospital infection control protocols.