Assessing Nursing Students’ Awareness and Preventive Practices for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common hospital-acquired infections, accounting for nearly 40% of all nosocomial cases. Although preventable, they contribute to increased patient morbidity and healthcare burden. Nursing students, often involved in catheter care during clinical training, must possess adequate knowledge of CAUTI prevention. Despite existing guidelines, a gap persists in assessing awareness at the student level in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding preventive practices for catheter-associated urinary tract infections among undergraduate nursing students and identify key areas of deficiency. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at Rashid Latif Nursing College, Lahore, from October 2024 to April 2025. A total of 96 BSN students were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated online questionnaire with 15 knowledge-based items and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics and a one-proportion Z-test were used to evaluate overall knowledge levels. Results: The mean correct response rate was 60.51% (Z = 3.28, p = 0.0011), indicating moderate to good knowledge among participants. High accuracy was noted for meatal cleaning before catheterization (83%) and aseptic urine aspiration (71%). However, deficits were evident in knowledge of post-catheter care and lubricant use, with 9.22% of responses marked “Don’t know.” Conclusion: While most nursing students demonstrated adequate understanding of CAUTI prevention, notable gaps remain. Strengthened clinical education and infection control training are essential to close these gaps and promote safe catheter practices.