Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice of Infection Prevention and Control in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) remain central to safe patient care, particularly in tertiary health facilities across Nigeria's South East geopolitical zone. Despite global emphasis on standard precautions, adherence gaps persist among frontline nurses. Aim: This study assessed nurses' knowledge and practice of IPC protocols at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. One hundred and twenty registered nurses were selected through stratified random sampling across medical, surgical, and paediatric wards. A structured, validated questionnaire and an observational checklist were used for data collection. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26, with frequency tables and chi-square tests applied. Results: Findings revealed that 68% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of IPC guidelines, while only 51% consistently adhered to hand hygiene protocols during observed clinical encounters. Barriers to compliance included inadequate supplies, high patient-to-nurse ratios, and insufficient in-service training. Conclusion: Knowledge alone does not guarantee safe practice. The study recommends sustained IPC training, provision of essential consumables, and institutionalised supervisory mechanisms to bridge the knowledge-practice gap in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Keywords: infection prevention, hand hygiene, nursing practice, Enugu, tertiary hospital.