Background: Stringent compliance with standard precautions is of utmost importance for reducing the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs); however, the role of medical and nursing students is often underappreciated. Because undergraduate and graduate nursing programs combine classroom education and clinical training, nursing students are already important stakeholders in HAI risk reduction and patient safety endeavors. Objectives: In this study, we appraised self-reported adherence to standard precautions among university nursing students, and we examined factors that may influence their level of compliance. Methods: In total, 362 undergraduate and graduate university nursing students form the University North in Croatia (Europe), enrolled in courses or modules with clinical placement, were surveyed in this self-reported cross-sectional study. A 2-part self-administered questionnaire was used, consisting of a demographic survey and a globally applicable 20-item Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS). Differences were examined by an independent t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), and factors influencing compliance were further appraised by a standard multiple linear regression analysis. Significance was set at P <.05 (2-sided). Results: The overall compliance rate in this study was 58.4%. The highest compliance rate was observed for wearing gloves when exposed to body fluids, blood products, and any excretion of patients (82.8%); conversely, the lowest compliance rate was reported for disposing a sharps box before it was full (27.2%). Higher rates of compliance were seen in female nursing students compared with their male counterparts (P = 0.039). Even though age was not a significant predictor, there was an increase in compliance rates according to the academic year level (P < .001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the overall compliance rate of the Croatian nursing students was moderate, although there was a trend toward more rigorous standard precaution adherence with more education and clinical experience. These findings highlight the need to improve the nursing curriculum to integrate more material on infection control practices early in the program, consequently bridging the gap between theory and practice. Finally, a supportive culture of infection control adherence in quotidian clinical practice must be continuously fostered.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None