The Effect of Education Based on Social Networks on Knowledge and Performance of Nursing Students in Regard with Safe Injections

Background and Aim: Unsafe injection is like a plague for the health system, which is a constant threat to patient safety. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of educational program using the WhatsApp social network on knowledge and performance of nursing students in regard with safe injection in Shushtar University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 60 nursing students of 5th semester (or higher) were enrolled using census. Demographic questionnaire, researcher-made questionnaire on knowledge and performance checklist were used for data collection. The knowledge questionnaire was completed by nursing students before intervention and their performance (before, during, and after injection) was assessed using inventory checklist. Then, a one-month course on safe injections using the WhatsApp social network was launched for students. Three months after intervention, students’ knowledge and performance were assessed again. Results: The results showed that before the intervention, the average levels of knowledge and performance were 25.66±4.01 and 12.66±1.11, respectively. After intervention about safe injection, the levels of knowledge and performance increased to 28.65±5.05 and 13.50±1.25, respectively. The greatest effect of education on performance was observed after the injection. In addition, the knowledge and performance respectively in 76% and 66% of students were at an excellent level. There was no statistically significant relationship between knowledge and performance before intervention (P>0.05), but this relationship was significant after the educational intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that education based on WhatsApp social network can be associated with the promotion of knowledge and performance of nursing students.