J Korean Crit Care Nurs.  2021 Feb;14(1):63-75. 10.34250/jkccn.2021.14.1.63.

Factors influencing Healthcare-associated Infection Control of Caregivers

• Kim J
• Jang E

• KMID: 2513323
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.34250/jkccn.2021.14.1.63

Abstract

Purpose
: The purposes of this study were to examine the relationships between knowledge, awareness, safe environment, and performance of standard precautions and identify factors associated with performance of standard precautions.

Methods
: This study was a descriptive research. A structured questionnaire on knowledge, awareness, safe environment, and performance of standard precautions was used for the survey with a convenience sample of 150 caregivers. Data were collected from July to August 2019 and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.

Results
: The mean scores on knowledge, awareness, safe environment, and performance of standard precautions were 15.77±3.34, 7.35±1.91, 4.55±2.05, and 55.20±10.11 respectively. Performance of standard precautions showed a statistically significant positive correlation with knowledge (r=.54, p<.001), awareness (r=.54, p<.001), and safe environment (r=.50, p<.001). Awareness (β=.24, p=.025) and safe environment (β=.35, p<.001) were significantly associated with factors of performance of standard precautions. Also, education level (high school and above college), affiliated institution (private association), and importance of infection control education (moderate) were significantly associated with factors of performance of standard precautions.

Conclusion
: The results of the study indicate that factors influencing the performance of standard precautions of caregivers were awareness and safe environment. Therefore, to improve implementation of the standard precautions among caregivers, a safe environment within the hospital must be supported, and appropriate infection management education needs to be provided to caregivers to improve their knowledge and awareness of the standard precautions.

Keyword

Caregivers, Knowledge, Awareness, Environment, Infection control