Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Regarding Standard Precautions Among Public and Private Hospital Nurses in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Hospital-acquired infections are a significant burden in low and middle-income countries, largely due to poor adherence to standard precautions (SPs) by healthcare workers. Nurses are at particularly high risk due to frequent patient contact, yet their compliance with SPs is often inadequate.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding SPs among nurses working in public and private hospitals in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted from February to May 2025 in eight public and private hospitals. A total of 370 registered nurses with at least one year of clinical experience participated. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire and analyzed using Chi-square and independent t-tests to assess group differences and associations.

Results: Significant sociodemographic differences were observed: private hospital nurses were younger and more likely to hold a bachelor’s degree, while public nurses had more years of experience (p < 0.001). Private nurses scored significantly higher in knowledge (mean = 25.85 ± 5.46) and practice (mean = 37.02 ± 9.04) than public nurses (p = 0.041), while attitude scores were similar across both sectors (p = 0.828). Notably, unsafe practices such as needle recapping remained prevalent in both settings.

Conclusion: While both groups exhibited positive attitudes toward SPs, a gap between knowledge and practice persists. Targeted infection control training and institutional support are needed to bridge this gap and enhance safety practices