Factors Influencing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Infection Prevention and Control Among Healthcare Workers at Herat Regional Hospital, Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding infection prevention and control among healthcare workers at Herat Regional Hospital, Afghanistan, and to examine factors associated with KAP and their interrelationships. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 healthcare workers using a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from validated KAP tools. The instrument assessed sociodemographic characteristics, IPC-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized KAP levels, while chi-square tests identified associated factors. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine relationships between knowledge, attitude, and practice. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among participants, 73.3% demonstrated high knowledge and 78.9% showed positive attitudes toward IPC, while only 52.8% reported good IPC practices. Knowledge and attitude were significantly correlated (ρ = 0.218, p = 0.003); however, no significant correlation was found between knowledge and practice or between attitude and practice. Higher knowledge and attitude levels were significantly associated with higher education. Good practice was significantly associated with profession and area of work, with nurses and healthcare workers in surgical and emergency units demonstrating better compliance. Conclusion: Healthcare workers at Herat Regional Hospital exhibit strong IPC knowledge and positive attitudes, but practical adherence remains moderate. The observed knowledge–practice gap highlights the need for strengthened continuous training, adequate resource provision, and supportive institutional supervision to improve IPC compliance and reduce healthcare-associated infections in resource-limited settings.
Institutions: Herat University, Jami University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7127300617