An Integrative Review of Infection Control Research in Korean Nursing Journals

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was performed to analyze the characteristics and trends of published research papers related to infection control in Korean nursing journals. METHODS: A total of 177 studies published between 1970 and 2011 were reviewed using analysis criteria. Subject articles were selected through KoreaMed and journal database searches on the website of subject academic societies using key words related to healthcare-associated infections. RESULTS: Most reports were quantitative studies and the majority of them were descriptive studies. The most common subjects of research were infection control measures for pathogens, followed by disinfection and sterilization, and hand hygiene. Among them, the most descriptive studies were conducted on the knowledge, attitude, and performance of infection control. Theoretical framework, criteria for sample size and ethical consideration were rarely presented in quantitative studies. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance the quality of infection control studies and establish infection control studies as a nursing knowledge body, meta-analyses and systematic literature reviews as well as quantitative studies are needed. Moreover, studies employing behavioral science to identify factors influencing the level of knowledge and practice and to change infection control behaviors are also warranted.