Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2022 Dec;27(2):168-176. 10.14192/kjicp.2022.27.2.168.

Infection Control Knowledge, Awareness, and Self-confidence in Performance among Nursing and Medical Students in Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Nursing Science, Gangseo University, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Department of Nursing Science, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 4Division of Infectious Diseases, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 5College of Nursing, Konyang University, Daejeon, Korea
  • 6Department of Nursing Science, Sunmoon University, Asan, Korea
  • 7Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 8Department of Nursing, Andong National University, Andong, Korea

Abstract

Background
This study was conducted to identify the infection control (IC) knowledge, perceptions, and self-confidence in performance level of nursing and medical students and to confirm the relationship between IC knowledge, awareness, and self-confidence in performance.
Methods
This study was conducted as a descriptive survey. The participants were students attending either the college of medicine or nursing in South Korea. Data were collected using a Google online questionnaire and the number of subjects was 242.
Results
For IC knowledge, the correct answer rate was 80% for medical and nursing students. By subcategories, answers regarding standard precautions and hand hygiene had the highest correct answer rate of 86%. The IC awareness of medical and nursing students was 4.74±0.31 points. By subcategories, their awareness of transmission-based precautions was the highest at 4.81±0.32 points. Medical and nursing students’ performance confidence of IC was 4.61±0.42 points. Self-confidence in performance of respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette was the highest at 4.73±0.39 points. Positive correlations were observed between knowledge and awareness of IC (r=.41, P<.001), self-confidence in performance (r=.33, P<.001), and awareness and self-confidence in performance (r=.77, P<.001).
Conclusion
This study identified that the average correct answer rate related to IC knowledge among medical and nursing students was relatively high. However, the self-confidence in performance was lower than that of IC awareness. This suggests that it is necessary to develop and apply a systematic education program, considering that the higher the knowledge and awareness, the stronger the self-confidence in performance of IC.

Keyword

Students; Infection control; Knowledge, Awareness; Confidence

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