Assessment of nursing students perceptions of their training hospital's infection prevention climate: A multi-university study in Saudi Arabia. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tumala, Regie B.; Almazan, Joseph; Alabdulaziz, Hawa; Felemban, Ebaa Marwan; Alsolami, Fatmah; Alquwez, Nahed; Alshammari, Farhan; Tork, Hanan M.M.; Cruz, Jonas Preposi
• Is Part Of: Nurse education today. Volume 81(2019)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Perceptions -- Nursing students -- Infection prevention climate -- Clinical training -- Saudi Arabia; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; 610.7307
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2019.07.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-6917

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The risk of acquiring and spreading infection must be minimized in nursing students because they are exposed to healthcare-associated infections during clinical training. To achieve this goal, students should be knowledgeable and competent in infection control practice before proceeding to their training hospitals. Objectives: This study assessed the nursing students' perception of the infection prevention climate in training hospitals in Saudi Arabia. It also examined the predictors of the students' perceptions. Design: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used. Methods: This investigation was part of a large study conducted in six Saudi universities. A total of 829 Saudi nursing students were included in this study. Data were collected using the Leading Culture of Quality in Infection Prevention scale and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical approval was obtained from the King Saud University, and permission was given by the administration of each participating university. Results: The overall perception of nursing students indicated a modest infection prevention climate. Prioritization of quality and improvement orientation was rated as the highest dimensions, whereas psychological safety and supportive environment were the lowest. The nursing students in University F had the poorest perceptions among the six universities. The predictors of nursing student perception of their training hospitals' infection prevention climates were the university where they studied, their age, and participation in infection prevention seminars. Conclusions: This article describes nursing students' perception of the infection prevention climate of their training hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Results may provide a unique theoretical underpinning on the perception and factors that effect an infection prevention climate. Thereby, previous knowledge and literature may be expanded. Results can be used as a guide in establishing clinical policies in efforts toward improving the infection prevention climate. Highlights: This multi-university study assessed the nursing students' perceived infection prevention climate of training hospitals. The students perceived their training hospitals' infection prevention climate modestly. The university, age, and participation in infection prevention seminars were significant predictors of students' perceptions.