Akinde Daniel
Introduction
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a primary contributor to postoperative morbidity and healthcare expenses. Although most SSIs can be avoided by following peri-operative protocols, the future medical professionals' knowledge and preparedness are essential. This research assesses medical students' awareness and practices regarding SSI prevention, as well as identifying any training gaps, in Georgia.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with an online questionnaire distributed among medical students from various Georgian universities. The survey evaluated knowledge regarding the causes of SSI and prevention methods, hand hygiene practices, compliance with sterilization procedures, as well as perceived confidence and training requirements.
Results
Out of 48 respondents, just 10.6% pinpointed inadequate hand hygiene as a main cause of SSI, while 43.5% acknowledged that prophylactic antibiotics are required only for certain surgeries. While 91.3% stated that they always practiced hand hygiene prior to providing surgical assistance, only 13% adhered to correct sterilization methods consistently. Only 45.7% had undergone formal training in SSI prevention. A majority of 65.2% identified lack of training as the primary challenge, while 91.3% endorsed compulsory SSI education. Most students rated their confidence in SSI knowledge at 3 on a 5-point scale, indicating a moderate level of confidence.
Conclusions
This research underscores a significant discrepancy between theoretical understanding and practical readiness regarding surgical site infection prevention among medical students. To close this gap and foster improved perioperative safety practices in surgical and day surgery settings, it is crucial to implement structured, compulsory training throughout the clinical years.
Authors
damilola akinde
Caucasus international university, tbilisi, Georgia
adebola bisiriyu
Caucasus international university, tbilisi, Georgia
neha zahed
Caucasus international university, tbilisi, Georgia
lara hamze
Caucasus international university, tbilisi, Georgia
hour chriteh
Caucasus international university, tbilisi, Georgia