Assessing knowledge and counselling practices of medical personnel about surgical site infection prevention in Sudan.

INTRODUCTION

Surgical site infections (SSI) represent a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems particularly in low-income countries with limited resources. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and counselling practices of medical personnel regarding the prevention of SSI in Sudan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted. from June to December 2024. The target population included medical personnel involved in the surgical care in Sudan (surgeons, medical officers, house officers, final year medical students, operating room nurses, and ward nurses). Personnel not directly involved in surgical care were excluded. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess participants' knowledge of SSI signs/symptoms, risk factors, and preventive techniques, as well as their counselling practices and perceived challenges to implementing SSI prevention strategies.

RESULTS

The study included 403 participants. The majority (72%) correctly identified hand hygiene as a crucial preventive practice. However, a significant proportion (62.5%) incorrectly believed that routine preoperative shaving is recommended, indicating a common misconception. While (70.2%) correctly recognized antibiotic prophylaxis as important for reducing bacterial load, knowledge regarding its appropriate duration was variable. Only (37.2%) reported always providing preoperative counselling. Key challenges identified included limited resources, lack of updated guidelines and inadequate training.

CONCLUSION

Despite adequate awareness of certain preventive strategies, significant gaps in knowledge and inconsistent counselling practices persist. Education and training, the provision of up-to-date guidelines and ensuring resources availability are crucial interventions to reduce SSIs rates and improve surgical outcomes in Sudan.