Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.

Nurses’ performance regarding Infection Control Precautions in

Primary Health Care Centers
*Eman Ibrahim Abdeen Mhana, **Nahla Ahmed Abd El-Aziz,***Mervat Mohamed Hassan
* BSc., Nursing, Community Health Nursing
** Professor of Community Health Nursing
*** Lecturer of Community Health Nursing
Community health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Standards precautions are designed to protect staff from risks resulting from
exposure to blood and body fluids and to protect patients from potential cross infection. Knowledge
of clinical infection control practices is continually growing and changing. Therefore, the aim of the
study was to assess nurses’ performance regarding infection control precautions in primary health
care centers. Research design: a descriptive analytical design had been used. Subjects: simple
random sample of a total of 379 nurse was recruited from the 1st of June 2019 to the first of
December 2019, at selected primary health care centers affiliated to health affairs directorate in Kafr
El-Sheikh governorate according to large number of nurses. Tools of data collection: three tools
were used to collect data: a structured self- administrated nurses' questionnaire, observational check
list, and environmental assessment checklist. Results: the results revealed that 44.6% of the studied
nurses had average level of total knowledge, whereas 58.6% of them had incompetent practice
regarding infection control precautions. Moreover, there was highly statistically significant positive
linear correlation between total nurse`s knowledge about infection control precautions in primary
health care centers and their practice at (r = 0.317, and p =0.000). In conclusion, Based on the
findings of this study, it can be concluded that, more than one third of nurses in the current study
had average overall knowledge score, while more than one half of them had incompetent practice
regarding infection control precautions. A highly statistically significant positive linear correlation
between total nurses’ knowledge about infection control precautions in primary health care centers
and their practice was pointed up. Recommendations: mandatory regular base educational program
must be planned to overcome the weak level of knowledge and updated and the nursing practice
regarding infection control standard precautions.
Keywords: Infection Control; Nurses performance; Precautions; Primary Health Care Centers.
Introduction The advent of COVID-19 has bought the
role of infection prevention strategies into focus.
Primary health Care is essential health The primary means of preventing Health
care made universally accessible to individuals Associated Infections (HAI) is seen as 'the
and families in the community by means implementation of practices that minimize the
acceptable to them, through their full risk of transmission of infectious agents'. The
participation and at a cost that the community best practice in prevention of (HAI) with
and country can afford. It forms an integral part surveillance; the use of transmission-based
both of the country's health system of which it precautions; access to personal protective
is the nucleus and of the overall social and Equipment (PPE); sterilization and cleaning of
economic development of the community (Li reusable equipment; environmental cleanliness;
Krumholz, Yip, et al., 2020). and antimicrobial stewardship (Henderson,
Infections have a serious impact on the Willis, Blackman, Verrall, & McNeill, 2021).
quality of patient health care outcomes, and The universal precaution practice applies
increased morbidity, leading to unnecessary the basic principles of infection control through
deaths and additional cost (Alrubaiee, hand washing, utilization of appropriate
Baharom, Faisal, et al., 2021). protective barriers such as gloves, mask, gowns

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

and eye wear, and safe handling and disposal of Significance of study:
sharps, safe handling and disposal of linen,
disposal of waste, and disinfection (El Hakiem, Health care acquired infections are
2020). worldwide problem. Infection acquired during
health care delivery is estimated between 5%
According to the Center for Disease and 10% in developed countries on the other
Control and Prevention, standard precautions hand, in developing countries the risk of
were defined as “the minimum infection infection is 2 to 20 times higher and the
prevention measures that should be applied to proportion of patients infected can exceed 25%
all patient care” regardless of their suspicion or as declared by World Health Organization
confirmation of infection status of the patients, (Magdy, 2017).
which are used in any setting where health care
is delivered. These precautions should be Covid- 19 infections are increasing in
applied at any setting where health-care services Egypt with 687 new infections reported on
are delivered and always assuming that patients’ average each day, that 39% of the peak and the
blood, body fluid, secretions, and excrements highest daily average reported in July 2021,
have infectivity potentials (Al-Faouri, Okour, 305,269 corona virus cases in Egypt were
Alakour, et al., 2021). 17,367 deaths (WHO, 2021).
The professional practice of infection Aim of the study:
prevention and control has long been a
responsibility of health-care facilities, although This study aimed to assess nurses’
typically considered in relation to patient performance regarding infection control
protection. Infection prevention and control precautions in primary health care centers.
aims to prevent health-care facility–acquired Research questions
infections, whether transmitted through 1- What is the nurses’ knowledge about
inhalation or contact with body fluids or tissue infection control precautions in primary
(Cloete, Yassi, & Ehrlich, 2020). Nurses are health care centers?
primarily responsible for implementing daily 2- What is nurses' practice regarding infection
patient care activities in health care facilities control in primary health care centers?
and other health institutions that involve more 3- Is there a relation between demographic
contact with patients than other healthcare characteristics of studied nurses and total
workers (HCWs). Consequently, nurses are knowledge?
more exposed to various infections and play a 4- Is there a relation between demographic
vital role in transmitting it (Alrubaiee, characteristics of studied nurses and total
Baharom, Faisal, et al., 2021). practice?
Nurses have a critical role in restricting subjects and methods:
the spread of organisms in two ways: first, as
health professionals who spend the most time I. Technical design
with patients, nurses have a significant Research Design:
possibility to disseminate organisms. Prior to A descriptive analytical design was used
and after patient contact, as well as after to conduct this study.
performing a potentially infective action, nurses
must cleanse their hands. The second method Research Settings:
nurses reduce hand-to-hand dissemination is by This study was conducted at selected
working as patient promoters with a large primary health care centers affiliated to health
number of social insurance experts (Mostafa, affairs directorate in Kafr El-Sheikh
2017). governorate and it was managements and was
selected according to the high numbers of
nurses in these centers.

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

Subjects: Questionnaire was contained of 41 questions,

A Multistage simple random sample, the the total scores of the questionnaire were 41
estimated sample size was 379 nurses who grades, the right answer was scored as a single
working at previous mentioned setting, at point and the wrong answer was scored as a
confidence level 95% by using Steven zero point. These scores were summed and
Thompson equation, Since the total number of were converted into a percent score.
nurses was 3000 nurses (Thompson, 2012).
It was classified into 2 categories:
Sampling technique: In this study - Good knowledge if score > 75%.
multistage sampling was conducted as - Average knowledge if score from 60-75%.
following: from total 11 health management - Poor knowledge if score < 60%.
(total number of nurses 3000); which affiliated
Tool II: Observational check list:
to health affairs directorate in Kafr El-Sheikh
It was adapted by the researcher after
governorate , and select 2 health managements
reviewing the literatures based on Harder,
which have large number of nurses (number of
(2014) in English and it revised by supervisors.
nurses 921), and select primary health care
This checklist was used to assess the nurses'
center and unit which have large number of
performance toward infection control
nurses and select nurses randomly from four
precautions in primary health care centers.
medical center, Beiala medical center, Shabas
El Shohada rural unit and El Garida  Scoring system:
Unit).selected setting, (Desook). A scoring system was followed to assess
nurses' performance toward infection control
Tools of the study:
precautions in primary health care centers; the
Tool I: A structured self- total checklist was contained of 59 steps divided
administrated nurses' questionnaire: as: Hand washing technique (18 steps), Personal
protective equipment and Respiratory
Part 1:
precautions (5 steps), Cleaning, disinfection,
Demographic characteristics of nurses
and sterilization (17 steps), Safe injection and
such as age, gender, marital status, level of
precautions for handling of medicines (12 steps)
education, experiences, workplace, residence
Safe disposal of waste and Dealing with textiles
and training for infection control program
(7 steps). Each checklist was assigned a score
Part 2: according to sub-items. The total score of
Nurses' knowledge toward infection nurses' practices were 59 grades, each item was
control precautions in primary health care evaluated as “done” was taken one score and
centers. It was modified by the researcher after “not done” was taken zero score. These scores
reviewing the literatures based on Kandeel, were summed up and were converted into a
(2016). The questioner consisted of 41 closed percentage score. It was classified into 2
ended questions in form of “Yes or No”. The categories:
total questioner (41 questions) divided into - Competent if score ≥ 75%.
three parts as: Hand hygiene (11 questions). - Incompetent if score < 75%.
Personal protection tools and respiratory
Tool III: Environmental assessment
precautions (7 questions), Safe injection and
checklist:
vaccinations against virus B (10 questions),
Cleaning, disinfection & sterilization (7 It was modified by the researcher after
questions) and Health care waste management reviewing the recent literatures based on
and textile reprocessing (6 questions). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
(2014) to assess the environment infrastructure
 Scoring system:
at previous mentioned setting
A scoring system was followed to assess
nurses' knowledge toward infection control  Scoring system:
precautions in primary health care centers. The

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

The environment assessment was from the beginning of June 2019 to the end of
contained of 43 statements, the total score was December 2019.
43 grades. Each statement was scored as “Yes”
The researcher first met with the nurses
was taken one score and “No” was taken zero
at the previously mentioned settings, explained
score. The scores of the items were summed up
the purpose of the study after introducing
and were converted into a percentage score.
herself. The researcher was visiting the study
It was classified into 3 categories: setting 2 days/ weekly (Saturday and Tuesday)
- Good if score ≥ 75%. at morning shift (8a.m-2p.m) and afternoon
- Average if score 60% - 75% shift (2pm-8pm) to collect data. The
- Poor if score < 60%. questionnaire for knowledge was filled by
nurses which took 15-20 minutes, while the
II. Operational Design:
checklist for assessing nurses' practice
Preparatory Phase:
regarding infection control precaution was filled
This phase included reviewing of
by the researcher in 50-60 minutes while nurses
literature related to nurses' performance toward
given daily routine care.
infection control precautions in primary health
care centers. This served to develop the study III. Administrative Design:
tools for data collection. During this phase, the An official permission to conduct the
researcher also visited the selected places to get study obtained from the director of primary
acquainted with the personnel and the study health centers. The researcher met the hospital
settings. Development of the tools was under director and explained the purpose and the
supervisors’ guidance and experts’ opinions methods of the data collection.
were considered.
Ethical considerations:
Validity and Reliability
- Validity: It was ascertained by (5) The research approval was obtained from
experts professors in specialty of community the Faculty Ethical Committee before starting
nursing. Their opinions elicited regarding the the study.
format, layout, consistency, accuracy and The ethical research considerations
relevancy of the tools. include the following:
- Reliability analysis by measuring of  The researcher was clarified the objectives
internal consistency of the tool through and aim of the study to nurses included in the
Cronbach's Alpha test. study before starting.
Pilot Study:  Approval was obtained from the nurses before
Carried out on 20 nurses those inclusion in the study; a clear and simple
represented 5% of nurses. In order to test the explanation was given according to their level
applicability and clarity of the constructed tools. of understanding. They secured that all the
The pilot also served to estimate the time gathered data was confidential and used for
needed for each subject to fill in the questions. research purpose only.
According to the results of the pilot, some  The researcher was assuring maintaining
corrections and omissions of items were anonymity and confidentiality of subjects' data
performed so the pilot nurses were not included included in the study
in the main study sample.  The subjects were informed that they are
allowed to choose to participate or not in the
Fieldwork:
study and they had the right to withdrawal
An approval was obtained from the
from the study at any time.
directors of previous mentioned setting. A letter
was issued to them from the faculty of nursing IV. Statistical Design:
Ain Shams University, explaining the aim of the Data collected from the studied sample
study in order to obtain their permission and was revised, coded and entered using Personal
cooperation. Data were collected in four months, Computer (PC). Computerized data entry and

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

Statistical analysis were fulfilled using the disinfection of thermometer respectively.

Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Moreover 73.6% of the studied nurses were
version 22. Data were presented using incompetent related to clean the bloody spillage
descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies, and safe injection and precautions for handling
percentages. Chi-square test (X2) was used for of medicines respectively. 70.4% of the studied
comparisons between qualitative variables. nurses were incompetent related to Safe
Spearman correlation measures the strength and injection and precautions for handling of
direction of association between three ranked medicines. While, 58.3% of the studied nurses
variables. were safe disposal of waste and Dealing with
textiles respectively.
Significance of the results:
- Highly significant at p-value <0.01. Table (3): illustrated that, 58.6% of the
- -Statistically significant was considered at p- studied nurses had incompetent practice
value <0.05. regarding infection control precautions in
- Non-significant at p-value>0.05. primary health centers. While, 41.4% of them
Results: had competent practice.
Table (1): revealed that, 41.2% of the Table (4): demonstrated that, there were
studied nurses their age ranged from 30-<40 highly statistically significant relation between
years. Related to gender, 85.8% of the studied total knowledge of the studied nurses about
nurses were females. In relation to the infection control precautions in primary health
educational level of the studied nurses, it was care centers and their demographic data such as,
found that, 55.7% of them had Technical educational level, years of experience and
Institute of Nursing. Also, 54.1% of the studied attend training courses related to infection
nurses were residing in rural areas and 51.5% of control at (P= < 0.01). Also, there were
working in urban center respectively. Moreover, statistically significant relation with their age
50.4% of the studied nurses their years of and work place at (P= < 0.05). While, there
experience were ≥ 10 year. Also, 63.6% of the were no significant relation with their gender
nurses under study were not attending training and place of residence at (P= >0.05).
courses related to infection control.
Table (5): showed that, there were
Figure (1): showed that, 44.6% of the highly statistically significant relation between
studied nurses had average level of total total practice of the studied nurses about
knowledge about infection control precautions infection control precautions in primary health
in primary health care centers. Also, 26.4% of care centers and their demographic data such as,
them had good level of total knowledge. While, educational level and attend training courses
29% of them had poor level of total knowledge. related to infection control at (P= < 0.01). Also,
Table (2): demonstrated that, 62.5% of there were statistically significant relation with
the studied nurses were competent related to their age and years of experience at (P= < 0.05).
hand washing technique. While, 59.1% of them While, there were no significant relation with
were incompetent related to use Alcohol-Based their gender, place of residence and work place
Hand rub and personal protective equipment at (P= >0.05).
also 55.7% of them were incompetent related to Table (6): showed that, there was highly
respiratory precautions respectively. Also significant positive correlation between total
54.9% of them were incompetent related to nurse`s knowledge about infection control
clean, disinfection and sterilization and 76.3% precautions in primary health care centers and
of them were incompetent related to their practice.

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Table (1): Frequency and percentage of distribution of the studied nurses according to their
demographic characteristics (n=379).
Items N %
Age (year)
20-<30 102 26.9
30-<40 156 41.2
≥ 40 121 31.9
Mean SD 38.94 ± 6.32
Gender
Female 325 85.8
Male 54 14.2
Educational level
Nursing school 118 31.1
Technical Institute of Nursing 211 55.7
Bachelor of Nursing 38 10
Post graduate 12 3.2
Place of residence
Urban 174 45.9
Rural 205 54.1
Work place
Urban center 195 51.5
Rural unit 184 48.5
Years of Experience
<5 88 23.2
5-<10 100 26.4
≥ 10 191 50.4
Mean SD 17.69 ± 1.75
Training for infection control program
Yes 138 36.4
No 241 63.6

Figure (1): Frequency and percentage of distribution of the studied nurses according to their
total knowledge about infection control precautions in primary health care centers (n=379).

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Table (2): Frequency and percentage of distribution of the studied nurses according to their
total practice related to infection control precautions in primary health centers (n=379).
Items Competent Incompetent
N % N %
Hand washing technique 237 62.5 142 37.5
Using Alcohol-Based Hand rub 155 40.9 224 59.1
Personal protective equipment and respiratory precautions 168 44.3 211 55.7
Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization 172 45.4 207 54.9
Disinfection of thermometer 90 23.7 289 76.3
Bloody spillage 100 26.4 279 73.6
Safe injection and precautions for handling of medicines 112 29.6 267 70.4
Safe disposal of waste and Dealing with textiles 221 58.3 158 41.7
Table (3): Frequency and percentage distribution of the studied nurses according to their
total practice regarding infection control precautions in primary health centers (n=379).
Total practice N %
Competent 157 41.4
Incompetent 222 58.6
Table (4): Relation between demographic characteristics of the studied nurses and their total
knowledge about infection control precautions in primary health care centers (n=379).
Items Total knowledge X2 P-
Good Average Poor Value
(n=100) (n=169) (n=110)
N % N % N %
20-<30 60 60 30 17.8 12 10.9
Age (year) 30-<40 22 22 84 49.7 50 45.5 13.69 0.01*
≥ 40 8 8 55 32.5 48 43.6
Gender Female 82 82 155 91.7 88 80 6.693 0.138
Male 18 18 14 8.3 22 20
Nursing school 6 6 26 15.4 86 78.2
Technical 46 46 141 83.4 24 21.8
Educational Institute of 25.07 .000**
level Nursing
Bachelor of 36 36 2 1.2 0 0.0
Nursing
Post graduate 12 12 0 0.0 0 0.0
Place of Urban 46 46 80 47.4 48 43.6 7.680 0.094
residence Rural 54 54 99 58.6 62 56.4
Work place Urban center 74 74 76 45 35 31.8 10.29 0.041*
Rural unit 26 26 93 55 75 68.2
Years of <5 8 8 44 26.1 36 32.7
Experience 5-<10 74 74 70 41.4 26 23.7 22.28 .003**
≥ 10 18 18 55 32.5 48 43.6
Training Yes 92 92 44 26.1 2 1.8
courses related No 8 8 125 73.9 108 98.2 26.94 .000**
to infection
control

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

Table (5): Relation between demographic characteristics of the studied nurses and their total practice
regarding infection control precautions in primary health care centers (n=379).
Total practice X2 P-
Competent Incompetent Value
Items
(n=157) (n=222)
N % N %
20-<30 82 52.2 20 9
Age (year) 30-<40 65 41.4 91 41 13.69 0.01*
≥ 40 10 6.4 111 50
Gender Female 133 84.7 192 86.5 5.854 0.201
Male 24 15.3 30 13.5
Nursing school 18 11.5 100 45
Technical Institute 93 59.2 118 53.2
Educational level of Nursing 24.95 .000**
Bachelor of 34 21.7 4 1.8
Nursing
Post graduate 12 7.6 0 0.0
Place of residence Urban 84 53.5 90 40.5 8.965 0.081
Rural 73 46.5 132 59.5
Work place Urban center 80 51 115 51.8 8.317 0.088
Rural unit 77 49 107 48.2
Years of <5 18 11.5 70 31.5 15.24 0.01*
Experience 5-<10 24 15.3 76 34.2
≥ 10 115 72 76 34.2
Training courses Yes 130 82.8 8 3.6
related to infection No 27 17.2 214 96.4 25.98 .000**
control
Table (6): Correlation between the nurses` knowledge about infection control precautions in
primary health care centers and their practice.
Items Total practice
Total knowledge r = 0.317
P = .000**
Total practice
Statistically significant at p<0.05 highly significant at p<0.01
and nearly one third were males. These study
Discussion:
results may be due to that nursing occupation is
The results of the current study revealed more common among females more than males
that majority of the studied nurses were females and that the numbers of female nurses are more
(table 1). This finding agreed with the study than male nurses.
done by Henderson, Willis, Blackman,
Verrall, & McNeill, (2021) on 500 nurse in The result of the current study revealed
Australia to compare the perceptions of nurses that around one half of the studied nurses aged
with infection control expertise and ward nurses between thirty to less than forty years with a
as to what infection control activities are missed mean age 38.94 ± 6.32 table (1). this result
and the reasons why these activities were nearly agrees with results of a study done by
omitted. and found that majority of the studied Akande, (2020) on 200 nurses (100 each in the
nurses were females and only one fifth of the intervention and comparison groups) who study
study participants were males, on the other hand, the effect of an educational intervention to
a study conducted by Phan, Maita, Mortiz et improve tuberculosis infection control among
al., (2019) in Chicago, to determine Personal nurses in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria: a quasi-
protective equipment doffing practices of experimental study and stated that mean age of
healthcare workers (52) it was found that about intervention group was 43.9 years old and the
two third of the study participants were females mean age of the study group was 43.6 years old.

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

These results may be due to increased age of centers. Also, about quarter of them had good
the current study participant could be a risk level of total knowledge. While, more than one
factor for poor adherence to infection control quarter of them had poor level of total
intervention and precaution due to decreased knowledge. figure (2), This finding is in
knowledge about the appropriate practice. contrast with the results of the study, which was
conducted by Hassan, Malk, Abdelhamed, &
The result of the current study revealed
Genedy, (2020) on 30 nurses to study the effect
that about two third of the studied nurses were
of an educational program on maternity nurses'
not received training about infection control
knowledge and practices towards infection
table (1). This result was contradicted with the
control in labor units according to standard
study done by Wong (2021) to assess the level
infection control precautions in Fayoum city,
of compliance with the infection prevention and
Egypt. It was mentioned that, the most of the
control practices among HCWs in different
studied nurses had good level of total
healthcare settings and its relationship with their
knowledge about infection control precautions
views on workplace infection control measures
post infection control program. Hence it is a
during the COVID-19 pandemic on 839 nurses
must to provide education and training to
in Hong Kong a city in China and reported that
healthcare staff and it's an important strategy in
the majority of the studied nurses received
implementing an infection prevention program.
training about infection control precaution. The
Education has a positive impact on retention of
results of the current study may be due to the
knowledge and practices of staff and has a
nature of the setting that the study were
positive effect on their compliance with
performed and the presence of a lot of
infection control practices.
infectious diseases in china city all of this
require that all the health care team members to According total practice, the current
be well trained about infection control study detected that more than half of the studied
procedure and precautions. nurses had incompetent practice regarding
infection control precautions in primary health
The result of the current study showed
centers. While, more than one third of them had
that one half of the studied nurses had ten years
competent practice. These results were cohort
or more of experience table (1). This study
with the study conducted by Kerity, & Naji,
result was contradicted with a study done by
(2017) on 70 healthcare workers in Iraq to
Alrubaiee, Baharom, Faisal, et al., (2021) on
evaluate the healthcare workers’ practices
540 nurses in Yemen to evaluate the
toward infection control measures at primary
implementation of an educational module on
health care centers in Kerbela city and found
NIs control measures among Yemeni nurses
most of healthcare workers working in primary
and found that two third of the studied nurses
health care centers had moderate level of
had nursing experience more than five years.
practice regarding infection control. These
These results may be due to years of nursing
results explained as only one quarter of studied
experience affect nurses abilities to work and
nurses had good knowledge about infection
empower them, enhance nurse's practice in all
control precautions in primary health care
nursing field and specifically in infection
centers.
control and handling infectious agents and
adherence to infection control standard The current study revealed that there
precautions. were highly statistically significant relation
between total knowledge of the studied nurses
Regarding distribution of the studied
about infection control precautions in primary
nurses according to their total knowledge
health care centers and their demographic data
infection control precautions in primary health
such as, educational level, years of experience
care centers, the current study showed that that,
and attend training courses related to infection
nearly about half of the studied nurses had
control at (P= < 0.01). Also, there were
average level of total knowledge about infection
statistically significant relation with their age
control precautions in primary health care

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

and work place at (P= < 0.05). While, there practice of healthcare workers on infection
were no significant relation with their gender prevention and its associated factors among
and place of residence at (P= >0.05). These health professionals working at Debre Markos
results explained as nurses attended training Referral Hospital and mentioned that older age,
program related using illustrative educational lengthy work experience and higher educational
method during training program. status were significantly associated with both
practice of infection prevention.
These results were consistent with the
study conducted by Geberemariyam, Donka, Related to correlation between the
& Wordofa (2018) on 680 healthcare workers nurses` knowledge about infection control
from 30 randomly selected healthcare facilities precautions in primary health care centers and
in Ethiopia to assess the knowledge and their practice and environmental assessment, the
practices of healthcare workers with respect to current results showed that, there was highly
infection prevention and associated factors in significant positive correlation between total
healthcare facilities in southeast Ethiopia and nurse`s knowledge about infection control
clarified that Healthcare workers were more precautions in primary health care centers and
likely to have infection prevention knowledge if their practice. These results supported with the
they worked longer ten years or more study by van Rensburg, Engelbrecht, Kigozi,
et al., (2018) on 202 nurses in south Africa to
In addition, regular with the study
describe the infection prevention knowledge,
performed by Shrestha, Bhattarai, Thapa, et
attitudes, and practices of PHC nurses in a
al., 2017 on 190 health care workers in Nepal to
South African district and stated that there was
assess the health care workers’ knowledge,
positive correlation between nurses’ knowledge
attitudes and practices on infection control at
and their practice with p value <0.01**.
primary health care and revealed that training
program had positive effect on their knowledge In addition, regular with the study by
level with p value <0.01**. Assefa, Diress, & Adane, (2020) on 171 nurses
in Amhara region, Ethiopia to assess the level of
the current study there were highly
knowledge and practices of healthcare providers
statistically significant relation between total
towards infection prevention and its associated
practice of the studied nurses about infection
factors in the health facilities and presented that
control precautions in primary health care
there was significant correlation between
centers and their demographic data such as,
nurses’ practice and their knowledge with p
educational level and attend training courses
value <0.05*.
related to infection control at (P= < 0.01). Also,
there were statistically significant relation with Conclusion:
their age and years of experience at (P= < 0.05). Based on the findings of this study, it
While, there were no significant relation with can be concluded that ,more than one third of
their gender, place of residence and work place nurses in the current study had average overall
at (P= >0.05). knowledge score, while more than one half of
These results agree with the study by them had incompetent practice regarding
Patil, Raval, & Chavan, (2018) on 138 health infection control precautions. A highly
care professionals in India to assess knowledge statistically significant positive linear
and practices of health care professionals to correlation between total nurses’ knowledge
prevent surgical site infection in a tertiary health about infection control precautions in primary
care center and reported that work experience health care centers and their practice was
and qualification had significant improving their pointed up. In conclusion, nurse managers need
practice level with p value <0.01**. Also, to supervise the staff nurses on the practicing
similar with the study by Desta, Ayenew, infection prevention standards and techniques
Sitotaw, et al., 2018 on 150 in Ethiopia and monitor nursing adherence to policies of
participants to examined the knowledge and primary health care centers. The Administrators
should promote feedback on practice, up dated

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Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 2022 EJHC Vol 13. No.3

knowledge, individual reinforcement, and Workers in Medina. Archives of Pharmacy

appropriate rewards for the good practice. Practice, 1, 146.
Alrubaiee, G. G., Baharom, A., Faisal, I., et
Recommendations:
al. (2021). Implementation of an educational
In the light of the research findings, the module on nosocomial infection control
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