Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control-Online Journal

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Factors Influencing Behavioral Intentions Related to the Use of Personal Protective Equipment When Changing Diapers among Caregivers and Nurses in Long-Term Care Facilities

Noriko HIROSE¹⁾, Miyuki HEKIZONO²⁾ and Yuriko HIRAO³⁾
¹⁾Yamanashi Prefectural Kita Hospital, ²⁾Miyazaki Prefectural Nursing University, ³⁾Yamanashi Prefectural University

Japan's rapidly aging, has led to an increase in long-term care facilities for elderly individuals and their users. Following the FY2021 revision of long-term care fees, service providers were mandate to implement comprehensive infection control measures, resulting in the establishment of infection control systems within these facilities. Despite these efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered numerous infection clusters, underscoring the importance of infection prevention practices among staff. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during diaper change by caregivers and nurses in long-term care facilities, using Ajzen's theory of planned behavior as a conceptual framework. A questionnaire survey was conducted among staff in long-term care facilities for elderly individuals across three prefectures. Responses from 94 infection control and 584 user care personnel (caregivers and nurses) were analyzed. The results indicated that while staff were generally aware of the need to use PPE, such as gloves and masks, during diaper changes, awareness of apron use was comparatively low. Nurses reported more frequent PPE use than caregivers. The behavioral determinants of PPE use differed between roles; caregivers were more influenced by "subjective norms," whereas nurses were guided by their "attitude toward the behavior" and "perceived behavioral control." To promote appropriate PPE use in long-term care settings, it is essential to enhance staff knowledge and foster collaboration with infection control experts.

Key words：long-term care facilities, personal protective equipment, infection prevention behavior, theory of planned behavior

e-mail: hirose-bdbp＠ych.pref.yamanashi.jp

Received: October 29, 2024
Accepted: March 13, 2025

40 (4)：190─195,2025