Mindful attention awareness and attitudes toward social handwashing among nursing and midwifery students

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between mindful attention awareness and attitudes toward social handwashing among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students. Method: A cross–sectional and correlational study was conducted with 679 undergraduate nursing and midwifery students. Data were collected using two scales: (1) the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and (2) the Attitude Scale toward Social Handwashing (ASSHW). Additionally, the participants provided data on their sociodemographic characteristics and responded to an inventory of handwashing practices. Relationships between scores were examined using Spearman’s rho. Results: The students’ mindful attention levels (MAAS) averaged 44.97 ± 11.46, and their attitudes toward social handwashing (ASSHW) averaged 78.32 ± 13.67. While no direct correlation was found between overall ASSHW and MAAS scores, there were positive correlations between mindful attention levels and certain ASSHW sub-dimensions, as well as with specific handwashing behaviors such as frequency and duration. Conclusion: These findings suggest that mindful attention may support better hand hygiene practices among nursing and midwifery students.