The multiple mediating effects of health beliefs on the relationship between infection control knowledge and infection-preventive behaviors among health science college students

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of health beliefs in infection control on the relationship between infection control knowledge and infection-preventive behaviors among health science college students who have experienced clinical practice. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Data from 200 health science college students at the Daegu Health College in Korea were analyzed between October 21 and December 6, 2024. This study was conducted using an infection control knowledge scale, health beliefs in infection control scale, and infection-preventive behaviors scale to quantify participants’ responses. The SPSS macro program was used to analyze the mediation effects of health beliefs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action). Results: Infection control knowledge had a significant effect on perceived susceptibility (β=.22, P=.007), perceived benefits (β=.28, P=.001), and perceived barriers (β=.19, P=.021). Perceived benefits had a significant positive effect on infection-preventive behaviors (β=.27, P=.008). Among the subcategories of health beliefs, perceived benefits had a positive significant complete mediation effect on the relationship between infection control knowledge and infection-preventive behaviors (95% confidence interval, 0.00~0.19). Conclusion: It is necessary to provide appropriate infection control education that emphasizes the benefits of infection management to enhance infection-preventive behaviors among health science college students.