Effectiveness of Nurse-Led Education Programmes to Enhance Infection Prevention and Control Among Childcare Workers in Bangkok Daycare Centres, Thailand

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of nurse-led education programmes on childcare workers (CCWs) in improving infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in daycare centres. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Is there an increase in IPC knowledge, attitudes, practices, and self-efficacy, as well as hand hygiene intention and compliance of CCWs after receiving the online or onsite IPC nurse-led education programme?
2. Do CCWs who receive the online programme exhibit higher IPC knowledge, attitudes, practices, and self-efficacy, as well as hand hygiene intention and compliance compared to those who do not receive any programme?
3. Do CCWs who receive the onsite programme exhibit higher IPC knowledge, attitudes, practices, and self-efficacy, as well as hand hygiene intention and compliance compared to those who do not receive any programme?
4. Is there a difference in IPC knowledge, attitudes, practices, and self-efficacy, as well as hand hygiene intention and compliance between CCWs who receive the online programme and those who receive the onsite programme?

Despite the crucial role of infection prevention and control (IPC) in daycare centers (DCCs), research reveals significant gaps. Based on the systematic review of the IPC programmes among childcare workers (CCWs), most studies focus mainly on hand hygiene, neglecting other IPC components like environmental cleaning, waste management, vaccination, and triage of infectious disease patients. Research on the role of nurses in developing and implementing these programmes is also limited. Existing studies often emphasize outcomes related to children and parents rather than assessing the impact on CCWs. Only two studies used a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, essential for evaluating group interventions.

Additionally, the emergence of online, on-demand, and hybrid learning methods highlights a gap in IPC training, with limited exploration of online learning for IPC education. Comprehensive IPC programmes for CCWs, incorporating various IPC components, clearly defined roles for nurses, and modern educational methods, are urgently needed. These programmes should be rigorously evaluated using cluster RCT designs to provide robust evidence of their effectiveness. Therefore, this clinical trial is aimed to evaluate the effects of nurse-led education programmes on IPC knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as hand hygiene intention and compliance among CCWs in daycare centres in Bangkok, Thailand.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Registered DCCs in Bangkok, as listed in the Bangkok Metropolis Administrative information.
* At least two or more CCWs work in DCC at the time of recruitment.
* Participants aged 18 years or over.
* Participants had been employed for at least three months at registered DCCs in Bangkok at the time of recruitment.
* Participants provided care for children 0-5 years of age.
* Participants could read and speak Thai language.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants are attending any IPC training at the time of recruitment.
* Participants are planning to attend another IPC training within six months after the time of recruitment.
* Participants have completed another IPC training programme within the six months prior to the time of recruitment.