Work

Infection prevention and control knowledge, attitudes, and practices among home health care patients and their family caregivers: Findings from a multisite survey

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Home health care (HHC) patients face elevated infection risks, yet adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) practices by patients and caregivers remains understudied. This study assessed IPC-related knowledge, attitudes and practices in this population. METHODS: Surveys were administered to HHC patients at high/very high infection risk or their family caregivers from two large Medicare-certified HHC agencies in New York State. RESULTS: Among 250 respondents (132 HHC patients, 118 caregivers), participants demonstrated adequate IPC knowledge (mean proportion = 0.77), attitudes (mean proportion = 0.88), and adherence (mean proportion = 0.79). However, handwashing knowledge needed improvement (mean proportion = 0.63). Regression analyses showed higher IPC knowledge and more favorable attitudes predicted better IPC practice adherence. DISCUSSION: Unlike prior research among HHC nurses where only attitudes predicted practices, both knowledge and attitudes were associated with adherence among patients and caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions should enhance IPC knowledge, particularly proper handwashing, and emphasizing infection prevention importance to improve adherence among HHC patients and caregivers, especially older populations.

Source: American Journal of Infection Control

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2025.11.025