Abstract
Background and aims: Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major challenge for healthcare organizations worldwide. Missed nursing care has been linked to hospital-acquired infections and is considered a threat to patient safety. However, there is limited information on the relationship between missed nursing care and infection prevention and control (MNC-IPC), as well as the factors contributing to its occurrence in Iranian hospitals. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between MNC-IPC and its contributing factors among nurses working in Iranian hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 nurses from various departments in three teaching hospitals located in central Iran. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which included sections on demographic information (age, gender, education, years of experience, marital status) and occupational details (unit, job title, role in infection control, course training, overtime hours, and years of work). The MNC-IPC was also used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Stata 14, including t-tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Pearson correlation, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Significant correlations were observed between MNC-IPC and gender (p = 0.019), unit (p = 0.048), role in infection control (p = 0.006), and participation in training courses (p = 0.028). Additionally, MNC-IPC was positively correlated with environmental factors (r = 0.262, p < 0.001) and individual factors (r = 0.223, p < 0.001). No statistically significant correlation was found between MNC-IPC and systemic factors (r = 0.102, p = 0.075). Conclusion: MNC-IPC was significantly associated with nurses’ gender, work unit, involvement in infection control, and prior training. Individual and environmental factors showed positive correlations with MNC-IPC, while systemic factors were not significantly related. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies, including staff education and supportive work environments, to reduce missed care and enhance infection control outcomes.