The knowledge and attitudes of nursing students towards nosocomial infections in Morocco

Introduction: Learning about nosocomial infections is an essential component for improving measures against these infections and for developing effective preventive and curative strategies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge of nursing students at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques of Agadir. Method: This is a cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire for students in the care sector. Results: One hundred fifty-nine students participated in this study. The average general knowledge score was 3.42 & PLUSMN; 1.50. The mean knowledge of practices and attitudes score was 11.50 & PLUSMN; 3.42. The total mean score was 14.92 & PLUSMN; 5.007. We found that the total score was better in students trained in nosocomial infections (P<0.05). The versatile nurse option recorded the best knowledge scores compared to the other options. The definition of nosocomial infection and its mode of transmission of germs by the hands not identified by more than half of the students. Bacteria were the most cited microbial agent in relation to nosocomial infections. The regulatory aspect of nosocomial infection has been overlooked by most students. Managing feces and preventing blood exposure accidents are the most overlooked standard precautions. Conclusion: A low level of knowledge of nosocomial infections was observed. Similarly, we should note a difference in the knowledge score between the trained and untrained groups. In conclusion, we propose a teaching of generalization of nosocomial infection for nursing training at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques of Agadir.