Knowledge, practices, educational needs and hospital engagement in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) among Italian healthcare workers and students: Results from a national multicentre survey
3
Issued Date
2025-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
26321823
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105006996468
Journal Title
Jac Antimicrobial Resistance
Volume
7
Issue
3
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Jac Antimicrobial Resistance Vol.7 No.3 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Di Gennaro F., Segala F.V., Papagni R., De Vita E., Guido G., Frallonardo L., Vigna A., Fiorella M., Capruzzi D., Cibelli M., Ritacco A.I., Pisani L., De Palo F., Locantore P., Tolin A., Penco F., Meschiari M., Murri R., Fantoni M., Mussini C., Saracino A. Knowledge, practices, educational needs and hospital engagement in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) among Italian healthcare workers and students: Results from a national multicentre survey. Jac Antimicrobial Resistance Vol.7 No.3 (2025). doi:10.1093/jacamr/dlaf081 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/110562
Title
Knowledge, practices, educational needs and hospital engagement in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) among Italian healthcare workers and students: Results from a national multicentre survey
Author's Affiliation
Università degli studi di Bari Aldo Moro
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Campus di Roma
Università degli Studi di Torino
Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Modena
Istituto Giannina Gaslini
Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Campus di Roma
Università degli Studi di Torino
Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Modena
Istituto Giannina Gaslini
Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: This study assesses the knowledge, practices, educational needs and hospital engagement in IPC among healthcare workers (HCWs) and students in Italy. Methods: A national cross-sectional observational study was conducted from April to July 2024. Participants completed a validated questionnaire based on WHO and CDC guidelines. Four outcomes were evaluated: (i) knowledge of IPC, (ii) self-reported compliance, (iii) satisfaction with education and (iv) hospital engagement in IPC. Results: Among respondents (n=1063, 67.75% female) significant gaps in IPC knowledge were noted, with only 66.1% correctly identifying key hand hygiene moments. Compliance was low, with only 43.3% always adhering to hand hygiene rules. Satisfaction with IPC education was also low (28%). While alcohol-based hand gel was widely available (84.2%), only 36.6% received formal hand hygiene training before onboarding. Multivariate analysis revealed that female HCWs had higher IPC knowledge [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.55, 95% CI: 1.04-2.31] and better compliance (aOR 1.72, 95% CI: 1.01-2.92). Younger HCWs demonstrated greater knowledge and satisfaction. Surgical ward staff, despite greater education satisfaction, exhibited lower IPC knowledge (aOR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.32-0.87). Nurses and health assistants received more hospital IPC training (aOR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.04-2.46; aOR 5.83, 95% CI: 1.94-18.89, respectively). Finally, the presence of a hospital IPC team positively correlated with all outcomes, including higher IPC knowledge (aOR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.79-4.05) and adherence (aOR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.92-6.3). Conclusion: The study reveals substantial gaps in IPC knowledge, practices and education among Italian HCWs, emphasizing the urgent need for effective targeted interventions that require robust institutional support.