INTRODUCTION:

Infection control is the discipline concerned with preventing nosocomial or health care associated infection, a practical (rather than academic) sub-discipline of epidemiology.

It is an essential, though often under recognized and under supported, part of the infrastructure of the healthcare. Infection control and hospital epidemiology are akin to public health practice, practiced within the confines of a particular health-care delivery system rather than directed at society as a whole.¹Nurses play a crucial role in preventing and controlling transmission of the infection through the application of standard precautions and maintenance of the health care environment. In hospitals, infected patients are a source of infection transmission to other patients, health care workers, and visitors. Healthcare-related infections have a considerable impact on the morbidity and mortality rates in the intra- and extra-hospital environment, resulting in an increase in the time spent and costs of hospitalization, and are thus recognized as a serious world public health problem. For example, nosocomial infection is one of the leading causes of death. Health care workers may be exposed to certain infections in the course of their work in a health-care setting. Depending on regulation, recommendation, the specific work function or personal preference, health care workers or first responders may receive vaccinations for hepatitis-B, influenza, measles, mumps and rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Meningitides and varicella.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding infection control among first year BSc nursing students at selected nursing colleges with a view to develop an instructional package on infection control.

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the pretest knowledge scores on infection control among first year BSc nursing students at selected colleges, Kollam.

· To find the association between pretest knowledge scores and selected demographic variables like age, gender, education, place of residence and socioeconomic status.

HYPOTHESES:

H1 There will be significant association between the knowledge regarding infection control and selected demographic variables like age, gender, education, place of residence and socioeconomic status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The research design adopted for this study was non experimental survey design (Descriptive study). The present study was conducted in Bishop Benziger college of nursing, Kollam. The sample consisted of 50 first year BSC Nursing students from Bishop Benziger college of nursing, Kollam who met the inclusion criteria for the study. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used in this study.

The data analysis were done under following headings:

Section A:

Demographic proforma was developed after extensive review of literature and receiving suggestions and opinions from experts. Demographic data included age, gender, education, place of residence, socioeconomic status.

Section B:

Structured knowledge questionnaire which consisted of 30 questions regarding adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Section C:

Instructional module The printed material of instructional module regarding infection control was prepared by the investigator.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Section A: Description of sample characteristics Description of demographic variables under study.

This section deals with the result of the sample characteristic under study. It included age, gender, education, place of residence and socio-economic status.

Demographic variables:

The data showed that

● In the study shows that, 48% were in the age group of 18-19 years and 48% were in the age group of 19-21years and 4% we’re in the age group of above 22 years.

● In the study shows that, 94% were females and 4% were males.

● In the study shows that 26% have education above plus two and 74% have education up to plustwo.

● In the study shows those 48% students lives in urban areas and 52% students lives in rural areas.

● In the study shows that 6% students belongs to high socio-economic status, 90% students belongs to middle and 4% belongs to low socio-economic status.

Section B: Description of knowledge scores of students regarding infection control:

The tool used for assessing knowledge score was Structured knowledge questionnaire 18% had inadequate knowledge, 64% had moderate knowledge, 18% had adequate knowledge regarding infection control.

To prepare a instructional module on infection control:

After assessment of the knowledge regarding, infection control the researcher provided a instructional module regarding infection control.

Section C: Association between knowledge score with selected demographic variables:

Association between knowledge and demographic variables:

The association was found out by using chi square test. it was found that the present study showed no significant association between knowledge and demographic variables such as age, gender, education, place of residence and socioeconomic status at 0.05 level of significance. (Calculated 't' value was lesser than table value at 0.05 level of significance. There was no association between knowledge and demographic variables such as age, gender, education, place of residence and socio-economic status (calculated 't' value was lesser than table value at 0.05 level of significance). In the case of age, chi square value was 2.67 which is lesser than table value at 0.05 level of significance. So there was no association between age and knowledge regarding infection control. In the case of gender, chi square value was 5.36 which is lesser than the table value at 0.05 level of significance. So there was no association between gender and knowledge regarding infection control. In the case of education, chi square value was 3.856 which is lesser than the table value at 0.05 level of significance. So there was no association between education and knowledge regarding infection control. In the case of place of residence, chi square value was 0.966 which is lesser than the table value at 0.05 level of significance. so there was no association between place of residence and knowledge regarding infection control. In the case of socio economic status, chi square value was 1.486 which is lesser than the table value at 0.05 level of significance. So there was no association between socioeconomic status and knowledge regarding infection control.

CONCLUSION:

The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge regarding infection control among first year B.sc nursing students at selected colleges, Kollam with a view to develop an instructional module. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn.

The present study revealed that 18% had adequate knowledge, 64% had moderate knowledge, 18% had inadequate knowledge regarding infection control.

The study revealed that there was an association between knowledge score among students. The association between the knowledge score among students and demographic variables were tested using chi-square test and the calculated chi- square value for the demographic variables such as age (2.67), gender (5.36), education (3.856), place of residence (0.966) and socioeconomic status (1.486) were less than the table value hence it is found that there was no significant association between knowledge score and demographic variables like age, gender, education, place of residence and socioeconomic status regarding infection control.

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Received on 16.02.2022 Modified on 21.07.2022

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2023; 13(1):36-38.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2023.00009