Improving Infection Control Competencies in Nursing Education: The Impact of Simulation-Based Learning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2026.v17i03.021Abstract
Background: Through simulation, students can enhance their critical thinking and analytical abilities to the best possible extent. To reduce hospital-acquired infections, it is critical to evaluate their current level of knowledge and develop future plans to increase it. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of simulation-based learning on undergraduate nursing students’ infection control competencies. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design (one-group pre-post-test design) was used to achieve the aim of this study. The study was carried out in the Faculty of Nursing at Sohag University Hospital. A convenient sample of B. Sc. (700 undergraduate nursing students) in their third year was recruited in this study. Three tools were used to collect data: Tool (1): Structured Knowledge Questionnaire on Infection Control Practices and Tool (II): Undergraduate nursing students’ observation checklist. Results: The study results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in mean knowledge scores on infection control practices between pre- and post-tests with a ‘t’ value of 12.55 at p<0.001, and also there was a high statistically significant difference in mean practice scores on infection control practices between pre- and post-tests with a ‘t’ value of 15.99 at p<0.001. There was a significant correlation between pretest and post-test scores of knowledge and practice (p-value=0.001) on infection control practices among undergraduate nursing students regarding infection control practices among undergraduate nursing students. Conclusion: According to the current study's findings, undergraduate nursing students’ knowledge and practices regarding infection control competencies improved when they participated in simulation-based learning.
Keywords:
Infection Control Competencies, Quasi-Experimental Study, Simulation-Based Learning, Undergraduate Nursing EducationDownloads
References
Al-Ahmari, A. M., AlKhaldi, Y. M., & Al-Asmari, B. A. (2021). Knowledge, attitude and practice about infection control among primary care professionals in Abha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 10(2), 662-668. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1278_20
Alfar, N. M., EL-Sheikh, O. Y., Hassan, R. E.,&Selim, M. A. E. (2020). The effect of applying nursing care bundle on controlling central venous line infection in neonatal intensive care units. Mansoura Nursing Journal, 7(1), 56-74. https://doi.org/10.21608/mnj.2021.175762
Beutlin, R., & Philo, J. A. (2023). Domains of empowerment among nursing students. Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 13(4), 291-295. https://doi.org/10.52711/2349-2996.2023.00060
Byun, H. S., Kwon, K. H., & Suh, B. D. (2014). Effect of a simulation-based education for advanced cardiovascular life support on knowledge, self-efficacy, clinical performance ability and problem-solving process in nursing students. The Journal of the Korea Entertainment Industry Association, 8(4), 261. https://doi.org/10.21184/jkeia.2014.12.8.4.261
Cant, R. P., & Cooper, S. J. (2010). Simulation‐based learning in nurse education: systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(1), 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05240.x
Cha, J. E., Cho, J. Y., Kim, Y. G., Nam, G. H., Lee, S. Y., Lee, S. Y., ... &Chae, S. B. (2017). Nursing students' safety-climate, perception and performance of standard precautions for healthcare-associated infection control. Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial Cooperation Society, 18(8), 72-83. https://doi.org/10.5762/KAIS.2017.18.8.72
Cho, S. S., Kim, K. M., Lee, B. Y.,&Park, S. A. (2012). The effects of simulation-based infection control training on the intensive care unit nurses' perception, clinical performance, and self-efficacy of infection control. Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research, 18(3), 381-390. https://doi.org/10.22650/JKCNR.2012.18.3.381
Desnita, R., & Surya, D. O. (2020). Effectiveness of peer-assisted learning in nursing student knowledge and compliance in the application of standard precautions. Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia 23(3),162-169. https://doi.org/10.22650/JKCNR.2012.18.3.381
Elbaky, M. M. A, Mohammed, A. A. A., A Gamal–Eldeen, G. A., & Gamal, L. M. (2023). Effect of blended training on nurses’ performance regarding controlling catheter associated urinary tract infection. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 14(1), 1340-1350. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2023.307156
George, F. (2020). Effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding prevention and management of needle stick injury among selected student nurses. Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 10(1), 76-78. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-2996.2020.00017.8
Haque, M., Sartelli, M., McKimm, J., & Bakar, M. A. (2018). Health care-associated infections–an overview. Infection and Drug Resistance, 11 2321-2333. https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S177247
Hong, S. Y., Kwon, Y. S., & Park, H. O. (2012). Nursing students' awareness and performance on standard precautions of infection control in the hospital. The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education, 18(2), 293-302. https://doi.org/10.5977/jkasne.2012.18.2.293
Kim, S. S., & De Gagne, J. C. (2018). Instructor-led vs. peer-led debriefing in preoperative care simulation using standardized patients. Nurse Education Today, 71, 34-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.09.001
Koo, E., McNamara, S., Lansing, B., Olmsted, R. N., Rye, R. A., Fitzgerald, T., & Mody, L. (2016). Making infection prevention education interactive can enhance knowledge and improve outcomes: Results from the Targeted Infection Prevention (TIP) study. American Journal of Infection Control, 44(11), 1241–1246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2016.03.016
Kudari, A. (2023). Simulation: A wonderful methodology in nursing curriculum. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 11(1), 79-81. https://doi.org/10.52711/2454-2660.2023.00017
Lapkin, S., & Levett‐Jones, T. (2011). A cost–utility analysis of medium vs. high‐fidelity human patient simulation manikins in nursing education. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 20(23‐24), 3543-3552. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03843.x
Lee, S. J., Park, J. Y.,&Jo, N. (2017). Influence of knowledge and awareness on nursing students' performance of standard infection control guidelines. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration, 23(4), 347-358. https://doi.org/10.11111/jkana.2017.23.4.347
Luctkar-Flude, M., Baker, C., Hopkins-Rosseel, D., Pulling, C., McGraw, R., Medves, J., ... & Brown, C. A. (2014). Development and evaluation of an interprofessional simulation-based learning module on infection control skills for prelicensure health professional students. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 10(8), 395-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2014.03.003
Malarvizhi, G., Glory, H., Rajeswari, S., & Vasanthi, B. C. (2017). Outcome of clinical simulation on neonatal resuscitation in development of knowledge and skill among baccalaureate nursing students at a selected nursing institution. Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 7(3), 417-422. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-2996.2017.00083.0
Nakamura, I., Fujita, H., Tsukimori, A., Kobayashi, T., Sato, A., Fukushima, S., & Abe, Y. (2019). Scenario-based simulation health care education for performance of hand hygiene. American Journal of Infection Control, 47(2), 144-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2018.07.024
Park, S. H., & Byun, E. K. (2020). Effects of self-efficacy, standard precaution knowledge, awareness on performance of nursing students. Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial Cooperation Society, 21(7), 127-135. https://doi.org/10.5762/KAIS.2020.21.7.127
Ruiz-Fernández, M. D., Alcaraz-Córdoba, A., López-Rodríguez, M. M., Fernández-Sola, C., Granero-Molina, J., & Hernández-Padilla, J. M. (2022). The effect of home visit simulation on emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, empowerment, and stress in nursing students. A single group pre-post intervention study. Nurse Education Today, 117, 105487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105487
Sasikala, A., & Dakshinamoorthy, S. (2022). Effectiveness of educational games as teaching tool on learning outcome of critical care drugs and investigations among nursing students at selected college, Chennai. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 10(2), 113-116. https://doi.org/10.52711/2454-2660.2022.00026
Sengupta, M., & Tungoe, L. C. (2021). Knowledge on simulation-based learning in nursing education among nursing fraternity in selected nursing institutions of India. Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 11(3), 409-414. https://doi.org/10.52711/2349-2996.2021.00098
Shelar, S., Vikhe, S., & Lamkhede, R. (2020). Effectiveness of Video Simulation on knowledge regarding neonatal assessment among second year GNM Students at Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni Bk. Maharashtra. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 8(3), 380-382. https://doi.org/10.5958/2454-2660.2020.00081.2
Xavier, N., Quinn, J., Amidon, B., Barnes, R., Bronson, S., & Dunning, L. (2025). Healthcare simulation standards of best practice® professional integrity. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 105. https://www.nursingsimulation.org/article/S1876-1399(25)00095-7/fulltext
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
