Assessment of knowledge on surgical site infections and wound infection risks: A cross-sectional study

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) significantly impact patient outcomes, with surgical site infections (SSIs) comprising 20% of all HAIs. Adherence to prevention guidelines is essential. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of SSIs among Jordanian physicians and medical students.

This cross-sectional study examined Jordanian physician participants from April to October 2023. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a self-administered questionnaire adopted from the literature. SSI Knowledge level was scored and grouped by a 20-point scale (poor: 0-9, fair: 10-15, good: 16-20). Data analysis was performed using Jamovi version 2.3, applying descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Fisher's exact tests at a 5% significance level.

A total of 493 participants completed the survey (mean age 22.7 ± 1.51 years). The majority were female (61.5%) and medical students (84.8%). The overall mean knowledge score regarding surgical site infections and wound infection risks was 10.4 ± 2.5. Based on the knowledge scale stratification, 67.1% of participants demonstrated fair knowledge, 31.4% poor knowledge, and only 1.4% good knowledge. The highest accuracy was observed in identifying wound infection presentations (90.9%), while knowledge regarding surgical hair removal methods was the lowest (20.5%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant variation in knowledge scores based on age (P = 0.047) and education level (P = 0.030), but no significant difference was found based on gender (P = 0.398).

The overall SSI knowledge among participants was suboptimal, with significant gaps in understanding key prevention strategies, causative organisms, and optimal preoperative practices. Integration of structured SSI-focused educational modules into medical training, coupled with hands-on workshops and context-tailored guidelines, is recommended to enhance adherence to prevention protocols and ultimately reduce SSI-related morbidity, mortality, and costs.