Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41302555›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of environmental research and public health2025

Nursing Students' Knowledge Among Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review.

Vincenza Giordano, Chiara Palazzo, Caterina Mercuri, Vittoria Verde, Teresa Rea, Patrizia Doldo, Assunta Guillari

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2025. 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

7 authors.

Vincenza GiordanoDepartment of Public Health, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
Chiara PalazzoPediatric Oncology, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon, 80122 Naples, Italy.
Caterina MercuriClinical and Experimental Medicine Department, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.ORCID 0009-0002-0949-4900
Vittoria VerdeUniversity of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
Teresa ReaDepartment of Public Health, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-6444-0951
Patrizia DoldoClinical and Experimental Medicine Department, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Assunta GuillariDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, Clinical Research Center DEMeTra, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8423-8195

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHealthcare-associated infections represent a significant public health problem, with a major impact on patient safety and quality of care. Nursing students play a central role in implementing infection prevention and control measures, yet the existing literature highlights gaps in their preparedness.

objectiveTo investigate nursing students' knowledge of healthcare-associated infections, providing a comprehensive understanding of their level of awareness and identifying potential gaps that could guide improvements in nursing education.

methodsA systematic review was conducted by PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, CINAHL Complete, APA PsycArticles, and APA PsycInfo, using predefined keywords and inclusion criteria. Twenty-two studies met the eligibility requirements. The articles were assessed for methodological quality using validated appraisal tools.

resultsAcross the included studies, nursing students demonstrated good knowledge of certain infection prevention measures, particularly standard precautions and hand hygiene. However, significant theoretical gaps were identified, especially regarding epidemiology, transmission mechanisms, and risk factors for healthcare-associated infections. Knowledge tended to improve with academic progression, clinical experience, and the use of active, contextualized teaching strategies. A consistent gap between theoretical understanding and practical application was observed.

conclusionsNursing curricula should systematically integrate theory and practice, ensure alignment with validated international guidelines, and adopt active, practice-oriented teaching approaches. Strengthening these areas could improve nursing students' infection prevention competencies, thereby enhancing patient safety and quality of care.

Indexed as

Cross InfectionHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeStudents, NursingEducation, NursingHumansInfection Controlcompetencehand hygienehealthcare-associated infectionsinfection prevention and controlknowledgenursing studentsperceptionstandard precautions

Identifiers

PMID41302555
PMCPMC12652528

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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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.