ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to assess the nurses' knowledge and performance related to infection control in the neonatal units at El-Minia City Hospitals. Correlation descriptive research design was utilized. This study was conducted in neonatal units in Suzan Moubarak University Hospital, El-Minia General Hospital, Suzan Moubarak Ministry of Health Hospital and Suzan Moubarak Health Insurance Hospital. The subjects who participated in this study included a total number of 50 nurses' who are working in the four neonatal units in the previous settings. Two tools for collecting data were used in this study; Assessment questionnaire sheet for nurses' knowledge about infection control and Observation checklist for nurses' performance about infection control. The result revealed that: total scores of nurses' knowledge and performance having Bachelor of Science in nursing were significantly higher than those who having Technical Institute of nursing Diploma, and those who having secondary nursing Diploma, [116.1 +/- 9.2, 108.8 +/- 14.0, and 97.8 +/- 16.1]; respectively. [P. 0.05].Total scores of nurses' knowledge and performance having work experience ranged from 5 to 10 years were higher than those who having work experience less than 5 years, and those who having work experiences exceeds 10 years, [108.8 +/- 15.1, 100.4 +/- 1.5, and 96.7 +/- 17.3]; respectively. Total scores of nurses' knowledge and performance who attended training courses were higher than nurse's who didn't attend. [102.7 +/- 16.5, 98.4 +/- 14.2]; respectively. The present study concluded that nurses' who were working at Souzan Mobark University Hospital [SMUH] had significantly better knowledge and performance than their colleagues who were working at the others three hospitals. This study recommended that Provision of continuing education programs on regular basis is suggested in order to refresh and update nurse's knowledge, as well as reinforce proper practice related to infection control