A Cross–sectional Study to Determine the Association between Knowledge and Attitude with Hospital Infection Control Practices

Abstract

Aim: To determine the association between knowledge, attitude and hospital infection control practices among medical students.     
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done at University of Maiduguri of which 251 medical students participated. Data on knowledge, attitude on the Ebola hemorrhagic fever as well as hospital infection control practices was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22 where association between variables was determined using multiple linear regression.               
Results: Mean scores were; knowledge 33(±4.5), attitude 87(±10) and practices 66(±8). Practice was positively correlated with attitude (r = 0.162, p<0.05) and there was also a significant association between practice and attitude (b = 0.137, 95% CI = 0.33-0.24, p<0.05).               
Conclusion and recommendation: Attitude is a significant predictor of hospital infection control practice. The improvement in health personnel attitudes through funding and positive policies can translate into improved practices.