Healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding standard precautions in low- and middle-income member states of the Pacific community: A scoping review

Naomi Howell; Peta-Anne Zimmerman; Margaret Leong; Akisi Nailaba Kasami Ravono; Matt Mason

doi:10.1016/j.idh.2026.100420

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Healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding standard precautions in low- and middle-income member states of the Pacific community: A scoping review

Journal article

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Healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding standard precautions in low- and middle-income member states of the Pacific community: A scoping review

Naomi Howell, Peta-Anne Zimmerman, Margaret Leong, Akisi Nailaba Kasami Ravono and Matt Mason

Infection, Disease & Health, Vol.31(2), pp.1-10

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2026.100420

PMID: 41762832

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Abstract

Infection control

Standard precautions health personnel

Pacific Islands

Background Healthcare-associated infections are a significant burden in the Western Pacific Region, where diverse healthcare systems face challenges from emerging infectious diseases. Standard precautions form the basis of safe healthcare, and healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices are critical to effective infection prevention. Evidence shows significant gaps in compliance, with rates varying across countries and settings. This scoping review aimed to map the evidence base, identify gaps, and inform policy and capacity-building initiatives for low- and middle-income Pacific Community member states. Methods The review followed Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Searches were conducted in CINAHL, Web of Science, Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and the Cochrane Library, alongside grey literature sources with no date limiters. Results Of 77 studies screened, two met the inclusion criteria. These were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Relevant domains included skills and competence, beliefs about capabilities, environmental context and resources, social influences, and behavioural regulation. Conclusion This review highlights a critical lack of evidence on healthcare workers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and practices regarding standard precautions in the Pacific Community. Despite limited studies, findings emphasise the importance of education, organisational support, and targeted health system investment to strengthen infection prevention and control. The Theoretical Domains Framework provided a structured lens to identify behavioural determinants and barriers, reflecting challenges reported in other low-resource settings. Building contextually appropriate evidence is essential to inform tailored policy and capacity-building, particularly with the growing threats of emerging infectious diseases.

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Title: Healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding standard precautions in low- and middle-income member states of the Pacific community: A scoping review
Authors: Naomi Howell (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research
Peta-Anne Zimmerman (Author) - Griffith University
Margaret Leong (Author) - Griffith University
Akisi Nailaba Kasami Ravono (Author) - University of Fiji
Matt Mason (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nursing
Publication details: Infection, Disease & Health, Vol.31(2), pp.1-10
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.idh.2026.100420
ISSN: 2468-0869
PMID: 41762832
Copyright note: (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Health - Nursing
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991209881102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health