Revista de Bioanálise e Biomedicina

Introduction: Rational use of antimicrobials is believed to be one away by which we can reduce prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and surgical site infection. This is determined by professionals’ knowledge, attitude and practice; in using surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. However, no study addressed this issue in Ethiopia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical staff in surgery department toward surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used with self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected from June 19 to 23/2017 at Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia, and analyzed using SPSS. Written consent was taken and data was kept secured for confidentiality.

Results: Majority of respondents were male (90.2%), residents (45.9%). All of the participants (100%) have positive attitude toward need for Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) guideline as well as for hospital antimicrobial stewardship program. Of respondents, 75.4% were knowledgeable. But, their attitude in 82% and practice in 57.6% toward surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use was found to be poor.

Conclusion: Even though respondents had good knowledge, their attitude and practice were poor in majority of them. Knowledge and/ or attitude that guide or determine the way we practice. Failure of one or both of this will lead to poor practice, in turn which might contribute for surgical site infection and antimicrobial resistance as well as extra cost for treating this condition. Therefore, authors believe that this gap area should be given attention to promote rational surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use.