J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2024 Feb;31(1):147-155. 10.7739/jkafn.2024.31.1.147.

Factors Influencing Nurses’ Infection-preventive Behaviors for Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Cross-sectional Study

• Choi MK
• Choi JS

• KMID: 2553080
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2024.31.1.147

Abstract

Purpose
This study investigated the effects of knowledge, risk perception, and nursing professionalism on nurses’ infection-preventive behaviors for emerging infectious diseases (EIDs).
Methods
This cross-sectional study’s participants were 204 nurses with at least 3 months of experience caring for patients with EIDs at four government-designated medical institutions in Korea, which were the first to handle cases of EIDs.
Results
The average score for infection-preventive behaviors concerning EIDs was 4.54±0.45 points out of 5.00, and the score for the early response stage for EIDs was the lowest. The factors influencing nurses’ infection preventive behaviors for EIDs were personal protective equipment education, knowledge, and risk perception. Nursing professionalism was identified as a new influencing factor.
Conclusion
To improve nurses’ infection prevention behaviors for EIDs, specific and practical training in protective equipment must be conducted. Increasing nurses’ professional knowledge, strengthening risk perception, and implementing strategic programs to strengthen nursing professionalism are required. Nurses should be instructed and given clear rules on properly utilizing personal protection equipment. Nursing managers and nurses can improve their professionalism by creating a positive organizational culture.

Keyword

Behavior; Emerging infectious diseases; Nursing; Professionalism