The Impact of Curriculum Differences on Infection Control Knowledge and Practice Among Healthcare Students in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Healthcare‐associated infections represent a significant global challenge, with healthcare students playing a crucial future role in prevention efforts. While previous research has examined infection control knowledge among students, few studies have explored the complex interplay betwee...

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Publicado en:Nursing Forum Vol. 2026; pp. 1 - 16
Autores principales: Mersal, Fathia Ahmed, Said, Fathia Gamal El, Alanazi, Fadiyah Jadid, Alenezi, Ibrahim Naif, Alanazi, Faisal Khalaf, Green, Cheryl
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell 1/29/2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: 1/29/2026
      vid: 2026
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        atl: The Impact of Curriculum Differences on Infection Control Knowledge and Practice Among Healthcare Students in Saudi Arabia.
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        au:
          Mersal, Fathia Ahmed
          Said, Fathia Gamal El
          Alanazi, Fadiyah Jadid
          Alenezi, Ibrahim Naif
          Alanazi, Faisal Khalaf
          Green, Cheryl
        affil: Public Health Nursing Department,, Faculty of Nursing,, Northern Border University,, Arar, Saudi Arabia, nbu.edu.sa
      sug:
        subj:
          Students, Health Occupations Psychosocial Factors
          Infection Control Education
          Student Knowledge
          Curriculum
          Student Attitudes
          Outcomes of Education
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Young Adult
          Saudi Arabia
          Comparative Studies
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Students, Medical
          Students, Nursing
          Students, Allied Health
          Education, Medical
          Education, Nursing
          Education, Allied Health
          Handwashing
          Clinical Competence
          Cross Infection Prevention and Control
          Educational Measurement
          Teaching Methods
          Patient Safety
          Chi Square Test
          T-Tests
          One-Way Analysis of Variance
          Post Hoc Analysis
          Multivariate Analysis
          Multiple Logistic Regression
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Funding Source
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Healthcare‐associated infections represent a significant global challenge, with healthcare students playing a crucial future role in prevention efforts. While previous research has examined infection control knowledge among students, few studies have explored the complex interplay between educational curriculum factors, knowledge domains, and actual practice behaviors across multiple healthcare disciplines simultaneously. Aim: To compare IPC knowledge and practices among nursing, medical, and applied medical sciences students at a Saudi university, while exploring curricular influences on competency gaps. Methods: This single‐institution study used a comparative cross‐sectional approach. It employed quota sampling to recruit 304 healthcare students from nursing, medical, and applied science programs at Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia. Data collection used a validated three‐part assessment tool examining demographic characteristics and curriculum exposure, infection prevention and control (IPC) knowledge, and self‐reported IPC practices. Results: Medical students exhibited the highest theoretical knowledge (83.7%), while nursing students reported superior practical compliance (96.3%). Applied medical sciences students lagged in practical training integration (62.5%). College affiliation (β = −0.968, p = 0.02), practical clinical training, and practice scores (p < 0.001) significantly predicted outcomes. Conclusion: Disparities in IPC competency result from differences in the clinical experience included in the curriculum. To align with the healthcare quality and safety objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, it is necessary to provide interventions that are specific to the discipline, such as training based on simulation for students studying applied medical sciences.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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