Nursing Students’ Attitudes and Behaviors toward Personal Protective Equipment: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Patient safety is one of the shared goals for every healthcare professional to be provided to all clients and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital in ensuring the infection prevention especially in nurses who provide care to the patient for a longer time. Since Personal Protective Equipment is essential, the nurse’s compliance should be consistent and influenced by the awareness, perception and barriers towards the Personal Protective Equipment usage.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the compliance, attitude and behavior of the nursing students towards Personal Protective Equipment usage.

Methods: This study utilized a cross sectional research design where research instrument was implemented via online link at Riyadh Elm University. There are 263 nursing students which served as the total sample of this study. They were selected using convenience sampling technique with nursing level 3 to 8. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics such as ANOVA, t test and F test.

Results: Findings revealed that majority were female (54.37%) and nursing level 8 (46.01%). Predominantly, the nursing students were moderate level of compliance (77.9%) and moderate level of attitude and behavior (M = 3.24). It was found that there is a significant positive attitude towards PPE use (p < .001). The variables gender, marital status, and academic level were predictors of attitude and behavior in PPE use. The female nursing students have higher compliance than male nursing students. The identified barriers were cognitive bias (46.39%), complexity of precautions (43.73%), and physical constraints (42.21%). Conclusion: The nursing students demonstrated positive attitude towards Personal Protective Equipment use. To address the gaps and inconsistency in behavioral application, PPE education should be integrated into the nursing curriculum to ensure a quality and patient safety culture.