Using Kern model to design, implement, and evaluate an infection control program for improving knowledge and...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Infection Control
• Public Health

Background:

• Nurses and nursing students have extensive contact with infectious patients.
• Effective infection control is crucial for patient safety and healthcare outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, implement, and evaluate an infection control program for undergraduate nursing students.
• To assess the program's impact on students' knowledge and performance in infection control.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method approach using a sequential exploratory (qualitative-quantitative) design.
• Kern's six-step model for program development and evaluation.
• A pre-test/post-test semi-experimental design involving 8th-semester nursing students.

Main Results:

• Qualitative data revealed a need to improve both knowledge and performance in infection control.
• The program significantly improved students' knowledge and performance scores post-intervention (p > 0.001).
• A negative correlation was found between work experience and knowledge scores after the intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• The study recommends revising nursing curricula to integrate comprehensive infection control programs.
• Further research is suggested, particularly focusing on internship and field placements.