Current status and factors influencing clinical nurses’ attitudes toward information security: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objective: To explore the prevailing information security attitudes among clinical nurses and examine the factors influencing these attitudes. Method: In November and December 2024, a convenience sample method was employed to select 756 clinical nurses from ten public hospitals ranking second or above in five cities of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region as study participants. The survey utilized a nursing information competency evaluation scale, a general information questionnaire, and a questionnaire assessing nurses’ attitudes toward information security. Results: The total score for the information security attitude of 756 clinical nurses was (95.0; 87.0–104.0). Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between nursing information competence and the clinical nurses’ information security attitude (r = 0.519; P < 0.05). The main results of the multiple regression were shown, with coefficients, confidence intervals, adjusted R2 = 0.329, and the list of retained predictors (age, hospital level, training offered, information literacy). Conclusion: This study revealed a moderately high level of information security attitudes among clinical nurses. Age, lack of prior training, and lower informatics competence were key factors associated with less favorable attitudes. Therefore, implementing targeted interventions is recommended to further strengthen security awareness and promote safe practices across nursing settings.