Factors Affecting the Performance of Infection Control of Multi-drug Resistant Organisms in Intensive Care Unit Nurses of General Hospitals based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: The Mediating Effect of Intention

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the performance of infection control of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) by nurses in intensive care units (ICU) in general hospitals. Methods: Participants were 105 ICU nurses from 6 general hospitals. The questions for the survey performed were based on the theory of planned behavior, such as attitude towards infection control of MDROs, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, and performance. Results: In the relationship between subjective norms towards infection control of MDROs and performance, intention showed a significant complete mediating effect; and in the relationship between perceived behavioral control and performance, intention showed a partial mediating effect. The attitude towards infection control of MDROs was excluded from the mediating effect verification because there was no significant correlation between intention and performance. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that department atmosphere and perceived behavior control promotion programs should be developed to enhance subjective norms in order to promote the performance of infection control of MDROs.