Effect of an evidence-based educational program on nurses’ knowledge and practice toward surgical site infection prevention: A quasi-experimental study
Journal of Infection Prevention, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1177/17571774261493097
- Journal Name: Journal of Infection Prevention
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Keywords: Evidence-based practice, infection control, nursing education, quasi-experimental study, surgical site infection
- Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a major cause of postoperative morbidity and increased healthcare costs worldwide. Evidence-based practices (EBPs) are essential for effective prevention; however, nurses’ adherence is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes, and institutional training support. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an evidence-based educational program on nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding SSI prevention. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with experimental and control groups was used. The study included 120 nurses (60 per group) working in surgical units at a university hospital. Data were collected between December 2023 and April 2024 using a Personal Information Form and Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice Evaluation Forms. The educational program was developed based on international EBP guidelines for SSI prevention. Results: At baseline, both groups showed comparable knowledge and practice scores (p > .05). Following the intervention, improvements were observed in the experimental group in knowledge (t = 21.280, p < .05) and practice (t = 22.939, p < .05) scores, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. The between-group difference showed a very large effect size (Cohen’s d = 4.57). Conclusions: The findings suggest that the evidence-based educational program was associated with improvements in nurses’ knowledge and self-reported practices regarding SSI prevention. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the quasi-experimental design and measurement limitations.