An innovative strategy for nursing training on standard and transmission-based precautions in primary health care: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Strategies to improve adherence to standard and transmission-based precautions are essential to reduce the risk of health care-associated infections. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational strategy on precautions among nursing staff in primary health care settings. Methods: A randomized nonblinded controlled trial was conducted with 100 nursing staff working in 28 primary health care units. Groups were allocated randomly. The intervention group received a WebQuest educational strategy: a guided, creative method designed to engage participants in developing learning tasks, organized in 5 dimensions. The control group did not receive any training. Knowledge and self-reported adherence were assessed at 3 time points in the intervention group and at 2 time points in the control group. Data analyses were performed using Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact for categorical data, and MannWhitney and Repeated Measures analysis of variance for quantitative data. Results: A higher level of knowledge was identified in the postintervention for the dimensions of risk assessment, hand hygiene, and mask use and cough etiquette (all P values P <.05). The self-reported adherence increased in intervention (P =.008) and control groups (P =.005). The differences decreased after 6 months. Conclusions: The educational intervention increased the knowledge and self-reported adherence to standard and transmission-based precautions. (C) 2021 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an educational strategy on precautions among nursing staff in primary health care settings. The results show that the educational intervention increases knowledge and self-reported adherence to standard and transmission-based precautions. However, the differences decrease after 6 months.