Mapping IPC competencies among nurses

We hypothesized that nurses in India may not be fully aligned with global infection prevention and control (IPC) competencies, and that gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) would highlight the need for structured, evidence-based training and certification. The dataset includes responses from 547 nurses across India and provides detailed insights into their IPC competencies. Overall, nurses showed average levels of knowledge and practice but lower scores in attitude. However, when scores were categorized as low, average, or good, the majority of nurses (over 70%) fell into the low category for practice, despite the mean practice score appearing average. This suggests that a small group of high performers shifted the mean upward, masking widespread deficiencies and underscoring a critical disconnect between awareness and actual implementation. Demographic variables, such as years of experience and training background, were significantly associated with variation in IPC competencies.
Predictors: Ordinal logistic regression identified demographic and professional predictors of stronger knowledge and practice, suggesting priority groups for targeted interventions.
Geographic Spread: State-wise mapping revealed wide distribution of respondents, enhancing the generalizability of findings.
How to Interpret and Use the Data:
Raw data excel with scoring for correct answer
Supplementary Table S1 details all KAP items with correct/preferred responses and percentage of correct answers, enabling replication and cross-country comparisons.
Supplementary Table S2 presents associations between demographic variables and KAP levels, providing context for training policy development.
Supplementary Table S3 summarizes regression models to identify predictors of better IPC performance, guiding targeted educational interventions.
Supplementary Figures 1 and 2 visualize geographic representation and predicted probabilities of practice levels, supporting stratified interpretation.
Together, these data provide a foundation for designing tailored IPC education and certification programs for nurses in India, with implications for improving patient safety, reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and enhancing preparedness for both routine and emergency healthcare delivery.