{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,17]],"date-time":"2026-09-17T21:11:45Z","timestamp":1789679505511,"version":"4.0.1"},"reference-count":29,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,22]],"date-time":"2026-06-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782086400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":172,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]],"date-time":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767225600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Healthcare\u2010associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant threat to patient safety in Belize, with prevalence rates far exceeding global averages. Allied health students represent the future frontline in infection prevention, yet their preparedness in high\u2010burden, resource\u2010limited settings like Belize\u2014where HAI prevalence approaches 40%\u2014remains unassessed. This study aimed to conduct the first multidimensional analysis of the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) regarding HAIs among allied health students at the University of Belize (UB).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      A descriptive cross\u2010sectional study was conducted among 210 randomly selected nursing, pharmacy, and medical laboratory science students, yielding an 85% response rate. Data were collected via a structured, self\u2010administered electronic questionnaire. Analysis included descriptive statistics, inferential tests (chi\u2010square,\n                      <jats:italic>t<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2010tests, and ANOVA), multivariable regression, and latent class analysis to identify distinct student profiles.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The mean knowledge score was 3.84 out of 7 (54.9%), indicating moderate overall understanding. While students demonstrated strength in general transmission routes (81.9% correct) and basic prevention, critical deficits were identified. Only 24.3% recognized mechanical ventilation as a risk factor for ventilator\u2010associated pneumonia (a common HAI), and just 56.7% correctly identified common bacterial agents. A significant knowledge\u2010practice gap was observed; while knowledge did not differ by academic program, practice scores varied significantly (\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      &lt; 0.001). In\u2010service training was strongly associated with better practice scores (\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      &lt; 0.001) but not with knowledge. Latent class analysis revealed three distinct profiles: \u201cHigh Performers\u201d (60.2%), \u201cMotivated Learners\u201d (36.1%) with good practice but lower knowledge, and a \u201cDisengaged\u201d group (3.7%) with poor scores across all domains.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>UB allied health students possess foundational HAI knowledge but appear critically underprepared in key clinical areas, with a clear disconnect between theory and practice. This evidence suggests an urgent need to consider a shift from uniform curricula to tailored, competency\u2010based education integrating robust theory with mandatory simulation and clinical practice. Such a reform could contribute to mitigating Belize\u2019s high HAI burden.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1155\/ipid\/3745039","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T06:34:19Z","timestamp":1782196459000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Preparing the Frontline: Profiling Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Gaps in Healthcare\u2010Associated Infection Prevention Among Future Health Professionals in Belize"],"prefix":"10.1155","volume":"2026","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1655-2873","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Danladi C.","family":"Husaini","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sanjana","family":"Punjabi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tatyana","family":"Guild","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Elodia","family":"Solis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yusuf","family":"Abubakar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_12_1_2","unstructured":"World Health Organization Guidelines on Core Components of Infection Prevention and Control Programmes: World Health Organization 2016 https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/9789241549929."},{"key":"e_1_2_12_2_2","unstructured":"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) 2021 https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hai\/index.html."},{"key":"e_1_2_12_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/idr.s290992"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_4_2","volume-title":"Statpearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL)","author":"Tobin E. H.","year":"2025"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_5_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/mbo3.70312"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_6_2","first-page":"829","article-title":"Hospital-Acquired Infections in a Latin American University Hospital: A Prevalence Study","volume":"26","author":"Ugalde V. M.","year":"2005","journal-title":"Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_7_2","unstructured":"Paho Pan American Health Organization Belize-Country Profile-Health in the Americas 2020 https:\/\/www.paho.org\/en\/belize."},{"key":"e_1_2_12_8_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1108\/agjsr-01-2023-0026"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_9_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.31436\/ijahs.v6i1.509"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_10_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.14744\/etd.2019.19615"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_11_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.18231\/j.jdpo.2020.082"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_12_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.15342\/ijms.2021.455"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_13_2","first-page":"1917","article-title":"Evaluation of Knowledge and Awareness About Blood Borne Infections in Medical & Paramedical Students as Well as Health Care Workers of Tertiary Care Hospital","author":"Chitroda S. M.","year":"2023","journal-title":"Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_14_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.31689\/rmm.2022.29.3.227"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_15_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/10105395221134503"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_16_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.microb.2026.100696"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_17_2","unstructured":"The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency 2024 https:\/\/www.cia.gov\/the-world-factbook\/countries\/belize\/."},{"key":"e_1_2_12_18_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.22034\/ijels.2022.162982"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_19_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/jehp.jehp_1471_22"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_20_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18010107"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_21_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajic.2026.04.002"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_22_2","first-page":"E99","article-title":"Knowledge and Behaviour of Nursing Students on the Prevention of Healthcare Associated Infections","volume":"58","author":"Brosio F.","year":"2017","journal-title":"Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_23_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0234814"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_24_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5812\/iji.81531"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_25_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/ipid\/8870159"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_26_2","unstructured":"ShijoJ. YangadS. JamadarK. andGargoteR. Effect of Educational Intervention on Knowledge Regarding Infection Prevention and Control of Hospital Acquired Infection Among First Year Students in Selected Nursing Colleges 2023."},{"key":"e_1_2_12_27_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2025.1703523"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_28_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijid.2023.11.023"},{"key":"e_1_2_12_29_2","unstructured":"HammondK. A. BrownS. T. BernardoL. M. PalmerL. andHenkerR. Development Implementation and Evaluation of a Nurse Anesthesia Program in Belize 2017."}],"container-title":["Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1155\/ipid\/3745039","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1155\/ipid\/3745039","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1155\/ipid\/3745039","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T06:34:30Z","timestamp":1782196470000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1155\/ipid\/3745039"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Suraiya","family":"Saleem","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"editor"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"references-count":29,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1155\/ipid\/3745039"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/ipid\/3745039","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1687-708X","1687-7098"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1687-708X","type":"print"},{"value":"1687-7098","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2025-12-24","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-06-05","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-06-22","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"3745039"}}