This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding occupational protection among Central Sterile Supply Department nurses. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among a convenience sample of Central Sterile Supply Department nurses recruited through a province-level CSSD professional network in Zhejiang Province, China, between 4 January and 1 March 2026. A self-designed questionnaire with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.725) was used to assess demographic characteristics and the three KAP dimensions. A total of 306 participants were included; most were female (95.8%), aged > 45 years (41.5%), and had a bachelor’s degree or above (85.3%). Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 14.77 ± 1.73 (possible range: 0–18), 37.06 ± 2.87 (possible range: 8–40), and 45.90 ± 3.52 (possible range: 10–50), respectively. Path analysis revealed that attitudes showed the strongest direct association with practices (β = 0.542, P = 0.014). In multivariable analysis, higher attitude scores (β = 0.667, 95% CI: 0.549–0.784, P 30 years (β=−1.773, P = 0.009) of nursing experience were associated with lower practice scores, suggesting experience-related variations rather than a direct negative impact. Attitudes correlated strongly with practices ( r = 0.584, P < 0.001), whereas knowledge showed no significant correlation with attitudes ( r = 0.088, P = 0.125). In this convenience sample, CSSD nurses in Zhejiang Province showed favourable self-reported occupational protection attitudes and practices, but exhibited substantial and critical item-level deficits in knowledge regarding bloodborne exposure management and post-exposure prophylaxis timing. Implementing a mandatory, high-frequency (≥ 3 sessions per year), scenario-based occupational protection training programme linked to annual performance evaluation, alongside targeted modules for senior nurses, is recommended to improve protective practices. Not applicable.
Jing et al. (Fri,) studied this question.