Determinants of Missed Nursing Care in Infection Control and Their Underlying Causes in Iranian Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background and aims: Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) continue to pose a significant challenge for healthcare organizations globally. Missed nursing care (MNC) has been associated with an increased risk of hospital-acquired infections and is recognized as a potential threat to patient safety. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the relationship between MNC and infection prevention and control (IPC), as well as the factors that contribute to its occurrence in Iranian hospitals. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the relationship between MNC-IPC and its contributing factors among nurses employed in Iranian hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 nurses from various departments in three teaching hospitals located in central Iran. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that included sections on demographic information (age, gender, education, years of experience, marital status) and occupational details (unit, job title, role in infection control, training courses attended, overtime hours, and years of employment). The questionnaire also incorporated measures related to MNC-IPC. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Stata 14, which included t-tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Pearson correlation analyses, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: Significant correlations were identified between MNC-IPC and several variables, including gender (P=0.019), unit (P=0.048), role in infection control (P=0.006), and participation in training courses (P=0.028). Furthermore, MNC-IPC demonstrated positive correlations with environmental factors (r=0.262, P<0.001) and individual factors (r=0.223, P<0.001). However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between MNC-IPC and systemic factors (r=0.102, P=0.075). Conclusion: The findings indicate that MNC-IPC is significantly associated with nurses’ gender, work unit, involvement in infection control, and prior training. Additionally, both individual and environmental factors were positively correlated with MNC-IPC, whereas systemic factors did not show a significant relationship. These results highlight the necessity for targeted strategies, including staff education and the establishment of supportive work environments, to mitigate MNC and improve infection control outcomes.