EVALUATING NURSING STAFF'S KNOWLEDGE REGARDING NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION PREVENTION AT INTENSIVE CARE UNITS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, LAHORE
Keywords:
Nosocomial Infections, Hospital-Acquired Infections, Nurses' Knowledge, Infection Prevention, Intensive Care UnitAbstract
Background: Nosocomial infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and are especially prevalent in intensive care units, where critically ill patients undergo frequent invasive procedures. Nurses, as the healthcare providers with the most direct and sustained patient contact, play a central role in preventing these infections, making their knowledge of infection-prevention measures a critical determinant of patient safety.
Objective: To evaluate staff nurses' knowledge regarding nosocomial infection prevention at the intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 127 staff nurses working across the intensive care units of a tertiary care children's hospital in Lahore, using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, adopted, self-administered questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, general awareness of nosocomial infections and knowledge of preventive measures. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Results: All participants (100%) were female; most were aged 21-30 years (82.7%), held a Bachelor's degree (63.8%), had less than three years of experience (60.7%), and had previously attended infection-control training (64.6%). Most nurses (81.6%) demonstrated adequate general knowledge of nosocomial infections, though a notable minority incorrectly believed healthcare workers are immune to infection (37.6%). Regarding preventive measures, 84.4% of nurses demonstrated adequate overall knowledge, though gaps persisted regarding the limitations of glove use (40.9% incorrect) and chlorine solution preparation (34.6% incorrect).
Conclusion: Staff nurses in this tertiary care hospital's intensive care units generally demonstrated good knowledge of nosocomial infection prevention, though specific and clinically relevant gaps, particularly around practical infection-control skills, warrant targeted continuing education. Regular, structured in-service training is recommended to sustain and strengthen this knowledge base.
