Effect of an infection prevention and control training program on hemodialysis nurses' performance in governmental...

Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are essential in hemodialysis (HD) units because of the increased risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Nurses play a central role in the implementation of IPC protocols; however, adherence to these guidelines remains inconsistent, particularly in resource-limited settings like the Gaza Strip.

This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects (one-week post intervention) of a structured IPC training program on the knowledge and practices of HD nurses working in governmental hospitals within the Gaza Strip.

A Quasi-experimental design was adopted, utilizing a census sampling technique to include all 112 HD nurses. Participants were assigned to intervention and control groups using a systematic roster-based allocation method. Data were collected via a validated self-structured questionnaire and observational checklist before and one week after training.

Compared with the control group, nurses in the intervention group exhibited statistically significant post-intervention improvements in IPC knowledge (mean percentage score: 79.91 vs. 49.41, P = 0.001) and practice (overall adherence: 68.9% vs. 47.6%, P = 0.001), representing improvements of 62.68% and 38.63%, respectively.

The IPC training program proved effective in enhancing HD nurses' knowledge and adherence to IPC measures in the short term (one-week post-intervention). However, the study's design limitations and contextual barriers suggest that sustained compliance requires addressing systemic challenges such as resource limitations and high workload. These findings support the need for ongoing structured IPC training in resource-constrained settings.