A cross-sectional survey evaluating skin antisepsis practices after primary wound closure performed at tertiary hospitals in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Although the scientific basis for pre-incision skin antisepsis is established, little has been reported on the practice of postoperative skin antisepsis or its benefits. The aim of this study was to determine the practice of skin antisepsis after primary wound closure among surgeons in select tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey amongst surgeons and surgeons in training. Consenting participants filled a pretested 35-item questionnaire, which included a Likert scale. The internal consistency of the scale was determined with Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics and Chi square analysis were used as appropriate. Poisson regression was used to analyse the association between some categorical variables and non-practice of skin antisepsis. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of <0.05.

Results: Two hundred surgeons participated in the study. The male-to-female ratio was 9:1 with a mean age of 37.2 ± 5.2 years. The respondents perform a median volume of 4 surgeries per week (IQR = 2) with the most common surgery performed in their practice being clean (57%). Ninety-three percent of the respondents had a positive attitude towards skin antisepsis after skin closure. The commonest practice was to clean the apposed wound edge with an antiseptic, then dress with antiseptic-soaked gauze. There was no significant association between practice of post skin closure antisepsis and age and cadre of surgeon, type of wound or surgical specialty.

Conclusions: Majority of Nigerian surgeons practice skin antisepsis after skin closure. Further studies to validate this practice are recommended.