Factors influencing nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and infection management behavior for emerging respiratory infectious diseases: A cross-sectional study

Understanding the factors influencing infection management behavior related to Emerging Respiratory Infectious Diseases (ERIDs) among nursing students is important because nursing students play a vital role in preventing the spread of ERIDs. This study aimed to determine factors influencing infection management behavior related to ERIDs among nursing students in Korea. In this cross-sectional survey study, data were collected from May 3 to June 30, 2022, using a questionnaire. Data collected from 481 nursing students were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, a one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression using the SPSS program. The key factors influencing respondents’ ERID-related infection management behavior were attitude (β = 0.554, p<0.001) and knowledge (β = 0.282, p<0.001). The explanatory power of this model was 40.2%, and the regression model was found to be statistically significant (F = 27.935, p<0.001). To improve nursing students’ ERID-related infection management behavior, their knowledge of and attitudes toward ERIDs should be enhanced by repeatedly providing them with accurate professional information about ERIDs. Therefore, intensive efforts should be taken to develop a systematic educational program that can help nursing students better perform infection management.