STUDY OF NURSES' COMPLIANCE WITH INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROTOCOLS IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to pose a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and escalating healthcare costs. Despite the availability of evidence-based Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines, inconsistent compliance among nurses remains a critical barrier to effective infection prevention. This study aimed to assess nurses' compliance with IPC protocols and identify the individual and organizational factors influencing adherence in tertiary healthcare hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, involving 300 registered nurses selected from three tertiary hospitals. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses. The findings revealed a high overall level of compliance with IPC protocols, with the highest adherence observed in hand hygiene and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment. Knowledge of IPC guidelines, regular professional training, availability of personal protective equipment, and organizational support were significant positive predictors of compliance, whereas excessive workload and staff shortages negatively affected adherence. The regression model demonstrated that both individual competencies and workplace factors significantly influenced nurses' compliance with IPC practices. The study concludes that continuous professional education, adequate infection-control resources, effective leadership, and improved staffing levels are essential to strengthening compliance with IPC protocols. These interventions can reduce healthcare-associated infections, enhance patient safety, and improve the overall quality of healthcare delivery.