Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Surgical Hand Scrubbing Among Surgical Team Members at State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State

Abstract

Background: Surgical hand scrubbing is a cornerstone of infection prevention aimed at reducing microbial transmission during operative procedures. Despite established guidelines, compliance varies across healthcare settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of surgical hand scrubbing among surgical team members at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was employed among 89 surgical team members, including surgeons, perioperative nurses, and anesthetists. Data were collected using a researcher-developed structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of surgical hand scrubbing. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics summarized variables, while Pearson correlation analysis tested associations at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The majority of respondents (81%) demonstrated a high level of knowledge of surgical hand scrubbing, accompanied by generally positive attitudes and good compliance with recommended practices. Significant positive relationships were found between knowledge and practice (r = 0.880, p < 0.05), years of service and attitude (r = 0.9988, p < 0.05), and educational qualification and practice (r = 0.9766, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Surgical team members at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri exhibited high knowledge, positive attitudes, and satisfactory practices regarding surgical hand scrubbing. Knowledge, professional experience, and educational attainment significantly influenced compliance. Continuous training, supportive institutional policies, and adequate provision of facilities are recommended to sustain and improve adherence to surgical hand hygiene protocols.