Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41086946›Full record

SynthesisAmerican journal of infection control2026

Infection prevention and control knowledge, attitudes, and practices among patients and informal caregivers in home-based care: A systematic review.

Jingjing Shang, Ashley M Chastain, Margaret V McDonald, Jinjiao Wang, Ji Won Lee, Xuefan Ji, Bridget Morse-Karzen, David Russell

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in American journal of infection control, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jingjing ShangCenter for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY. Electronic address: js4032@cumc.columbia.edu.
Ashley M ChastainCenter for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY.
Margaret V McDonaldCenter for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY.
Jinjiao WangSchool of Nursing, University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
Ji Won LeeCenter for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY.
Xuefan JiCenter for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY.
Bridget Morse-KarzenCenter for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY.
David RussellCenter for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY; Department of Sociology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

Funding

AHRQ HHS R01 HS028637
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInfection prevention and control (IPC) remains a challenge in home-based care, a rapidly expanding care sector worldwide. Despite the central role of patients and informal caregivers, little is known about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP).

methodsWe conducted a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, to synthesize evidence on IPC-related KAP among adult patients and informal caregivers in home-based care. PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase were searched for peer-reviewed studies from 1990 to 2025. Eligible studies focused on IPC-related KAP in home health care or home-based care. Study quality was assessed using the 2018 Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

resultsThirty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Knowledge gaps were common in condition- and device-specific areas such as nebulizer hygiene, catheter care, and wound management. Attitudes were influenced by perceived infection risk, stigma, and social responsibility. While hand hygiene was frequently practiced, adherence to more complex IPC behaviors, such as equipment disinfection and quarantine, was limited. Informal caregivers often assumed IPC responsibilities without adequate training or support.

conclusionsIPC-related KAP remains inconsistent among patients and informal caregivers in home-based care, especially in complex or resource-limited settings. Targeted education, caregiver support, and validated KAP assessment tools are needed to improve IPC in this growing sector.

Indexed as

CaregiversHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHome Care ServicesInfection ControlPatientsHumansAttitudes and practicescaregiver educationCommunity-based carehome environmenthome health careInfection surveillance

Identifiers

PMID41086946
PMCPMC12590511

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.