WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Krishna Kumari Paudel, Jamuna Laxmi Maharjan, Sunita Shrestha, Sabitri Kumari Paudel and Anupama Kharal

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge among nursing staff regarding nosocomial infections and to identify potential gaps to inform targeted training and policy enhancements. Background: Nosocomial infections, also called hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), typically manifest 48 to 72 hours post-hospital admission. Globally, more than 100 million patients are affected annually, with South-East Asia reporting a prevalence of around 10%, as per WHO data. Adequate infection control knowledge is essential among nursing personnel to mitigate the risk of HAIs. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 146 nurses at Lumbini Province Hospital using stratified proportionate random sampling. Data collection occurred between Jestha 19 to 32, 2081. Ethical clearance was granted by the Institutional Review Committee of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences. A self-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used after obtaining informed consent. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, applying descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 146 participants, 52.1% demonstrated adequate knowledge of nosocomial infections, while 47.9% had inadequate understanding. Although 39.7% identified the correct definition, higher awareness was noted in areas such as common infection types (62.3%), pathogens (79.5%), and symptoms (59.6%). A statistically significant association was observed between knowledge level and both educational attainment (p = 0.037) and work experience (p = 0.050). Conclusion: While more than half of the nursing staff had sufficient knowledge about nosocomial infections, their understanding was significantly influenced by educational background and job experience. The study emphasizes the need for structured training tailored to professional qualifications and clinical exposure to enhance infection prevention practices.