Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices toward Infection Control Measures among Medical Students
Author(s): Khaled Seetan*, Sahem Ghraibeh, Adel Alsharei, Almuatasim Khamees, Batool Alhasan, Khayry Al-shami, Hala Arabyat and Ali Guboug
Abstract
Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are essential to control healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), which pose a significant risk for healthcare workers. Medical students have a significant role in applying IPC practices. This study evaluates medical students' knowledge and attitude in clinical years towards Jordan's IPC measures. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess medical students' Knowledge and attitudes toward IPC measures in Jordanian medical schools. Students were selected using proportionate simple random sampling. An online questionnaire was sent to students, inquiring about students' knowledge and attitude were assessed using scores with a total of 24 and 12, respectively. Results: The study included 605 students, with a mean age of 22.2 ± 1.1 years, and an equal male: female ratio, 35.5%, 37%, and 27.4% of students were enrolled in the fourth, fifth, and sixth years, respectively Most students claimed good Knowledge about standard isolation protocols and showed good Knowledge about hand hygiene, cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene, and transmission of infections through hospital attire and equipment. A significant difference in attitude was noted between different genders, while both Knowledge and attitudes differed among different medical schools. Conclusion: Medical students showed variable Knowledge and attitudes towards infection prevention and control measures, with areas of good Knowledge and attitudes including cough etiquette, and respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene, infection transmission through hospital attire and equipment, while some misconceptions were noted regarding transmission and action against diseases such as HIV and TB.