Evaluation Of Skill Laboratory Methodology Implementation And Its Effectiveness In Improving Competencies In Infection Prevention And Control Among Nursing Students In Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Despite notable achievement in skills laboratory implementation in Tanzania, there have been some challenges; such as inadequate and poor physical infrastructure, lack of laboratory equipment and large number of students being trained in these facilities. This study aimed to evaluate the skill laboratory methodology implementation and its effectiveness in improving competencies in Infection Prevention and Control among nursing students‟ in Tanzania’. An analytical cross-sectional study conducted in two zones of Tanzania; the Central and Northern zones. The study included 384 randomly selected, pre-service nursing students. Data were collected using semi-structured and likert scale questionnaires and analysed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to establish association between independent and dependent varibles.

Results: Out of the 384 students, 71% perceived adequate learning resources in the skill laboratory. The current study revealed that 53.9% had a positive perception, and 57.8% had a positive attitude toward skills lab implementation methodology, likewise 72.9% of the respondents had good knowledge, and 27.6% had good skills on infection prevention and control. A positive perception towards implementation of skills lab methodology was significantly associated with good knowledge on IPC. (AOR: 1.932, 95% CL, 1.155- 1.232; p< 0.001), and positive attitude toward implementation of skill lab methodology was significantly associated with good skills on IPC (AOR: 0.343, 95% CL, 0.210 - 0.561; p< 0.001) respectively.

Conclusion: Generally, the study showed that the institutions studied had adequate learning resources in skills laboratory. The perception of the students toward skills lab implementation, sex and residence had association with knowledge on IPC, likewise attitude and education level of participant had association with skills on IPC. There is a need to address both how students perceived the skills laboratory environments and with their attitude towards its implementation for effective acquisition of knowledge and skills.