NURSING STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE ON PREVENTION OF CATHETER-ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a severe problem in healthcare facilities, leading to increased illness, mortality, and healthcare costs. Nursing students have a crucial role in the prevention of CAUTIs because they frequently assist with insertion and management of urinary catheters. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of nursing students about CAUTI prevention. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Nursing, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi, Pakistan, during a two-month period from January to February 2025. With a convenient sampling technique, 80 nursing students were included. Data were gathered via a self-reported questionnaire completed to evaluate their perception of CAUTIs. Results: The results indicated that 25% of the students were found to have low knowledge, 53.75% had moderate knowledge, and 17% showed high knowledge regarding prevention of CAUTI. Conclusion: Most of the nursing students had a moderate level of understanding regarding prevention of CAUTI. These findings indicate the importance of evidence-based targeted educational measures by nursing educators and administrators to fill knowledge gaps and maintain effective practices in the prevention and management of CAUTI.