Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Infection Prevention and Control Among Australian Sonographers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background/Objectives: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is fundamental to sonography practice. This study aimed to describe IPC responsibilities, sources of IPC information, and self-reported adherence to standard and transmission-based precautions among Australian sonographers. In addition, the study aimed to examine relationships between workplace characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward IPC. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed using convenience sampling between January to June 2025 to sonographers working in Australia. The survey questions were developed from IPC guidelines and reviewed by two practicing sonographers for face and content validity. Survey responses were analysed descriptively. Differences in demographic, workplace, and KAP variables were examined using Pearson’s chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, and associations between KAP domains were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Qualitative responses regarding barriers to IPC adherence were analysed using deductive content analysis. Results: A total of 109 sonographers completed the survey. Participants reported working in public (37.6%) and private (62.4%) settings. Average KAP scores were high and comparable across public and private settings (knowledge: 96.0% ± 6.8% vs. 94.3% ± 11.5%; attitudes: 90.7% ± 12.3% vs. 85.4% ± 16.6%; practice: 89.3% ± 9.5% vs. 88.4% ± 13.9%) and there were no significant differences in scores between public and private workplaces (p > 0.05). Moderate correlations were observed between knowledge and attitudes (rho = 0.350, p < 0.001) and attitudes and practice (rho = 0.308, p = 0.001). Staffing and IPC resources were not associated with KAP scores. Use of policies and guidelines was the only factor associated with higher knowledge scores (p = 0.042). Participants reported high adherence to standard precautions was common, though time pressure, interruptions, and emergency situations were reported barriers. For transmission-based precautions, communication issues, particularly lack of awareness of required precautions, were the primary barrier, alongside time pressures. Conclusions: This study found that surveyed Australian sonographers have strong IPC KAP across clinical settings. Access to modality-specific IPC policies and guidelines appears critical for supporting knowledge and promoting IPC adherence.