The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to describe nurses’ knowledge and practice of and attitude toward infection control and prevention standards.

In the present systematic review, 4 electronic databases were searched from the inception of databases through March 2018. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Hoy tool.

Eighteen studies conducted on 4,577 employed nurses and nursing students entered the final stage. Results indicated that nurses in most studies had adequate knowledge (n = 10, 40%-90%) and positive attitude (n = 4, 37%-100%). However, most studies reflected average and poor nursing practices with regard to adherence to infection control and prevention standards. The most frequent recommendations proposed for improving nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practice included periodic training via scientific conferences and relevant practical courses (n = 12), combining up-to-date theoretical and practical programs (n = 6), and training at the beginning of hospital employment (n = 4).

The results of the present study indicate that although nurses in most studies had adequate knowledge of and positive attitude toward health care–associated infections, because of average and poor practices, they need systematic and integrated implementation of the presented recommendations.