Factors influencing nurses’ knowledge on peripherally inserted central catheter care in Guizhou, China: A web-based cross-sectional study

Understanding factors influencing nurses' knowledge of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) care is crucial for developing interventions to improve knowledge and ensure care quality. However, evidence remains limited in low-resource areas. This study aimed to examine factors influencing nurses' PICC care knowledge in Guizhou Province of China, and to explore potential differences across hospital levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3528 nurses from 18 hospitals across nine cities in Guizhou, China. PICC care knowledge was assessed using a standardized questionnaire, and multiple linear regressions were used to identify influencing factors. The mean knowledge score was 48.67 ± 12.94, with 17.2% achieving a passing score (≥ 60). Higher scores were associated with higher professional titles, higher education, PICC care experience, workplace guidelines, prior training, self-reported training needs, and tertiary hospital employment (all p < 0.05). In secondary/primary hospitals, nurses' knowledge was significantly associated with professional title, educational level, PICC care experience, and prior training (all p < 0.05). In tertiary hospitals, nurses' knowledge was significantly associated with professional title, PICC care experience, workplace guidelines, and self-reported training needs (all p < 0.05). Nurses in Guizhou have suboptimal PICC care knowledge, with different factors associated with knowledge observed across hospital levels. Interventions are needed to improve nurses' PICC care knowledge and enhance care quality, with tailored strategies for tertiary versus secondary/primary hospitals.