increases morbidity and mortality among the hospitalized patients and surges an additional cost.
Rural nurses have a paramount role in preventing infection and providing high quality of patient
care. Aim: This study existed to assess the effectiveness of an in-service education program for
improving nurses' performance concerning the application of infection control measures in rural
hospitals. Setting: This study was conducted in a selected government rural hospital in Fayoum
Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of 100 nurses working in the rural hospital were
included. Tools: A structured interview guide was used to assess nurses' level of knowledge, and an
observation checklist to assess their performance level before and after program implementation.
Results: Nearly half of nurses had correct performance concerning infection control pre-program
and improved to around 88.0% post-program implementation. There were statistically significant
differences between nurse's total knowledge scales and subscales in pre and post-program.
Likewise, there were highly statistically significant differences associated with nurses' correct
performance score level pre and post-program. Conclusion: In-service education intervention
reported incredible improvement in nurses' knowledge and performance toward infection control
measures in the rural hospital. Recommendations: There is a desire for endless training courses for
nurses to validate nurses' knowledge, performance regarding utilization of standard safeguards of
infection control in the rural hospital. Finally, at the community level, the government has to
consider the distribution of continuous education programs to expand all health services and
resources in rural areas.