Physician Awareness of Surgical Site Infections and Associated Risks: Insights from Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a significant threat to patient safety as they are amongst the most frequent infections in healthcare settings. These infections are defined as those occurring at or near a surgical incision within 30 days of an operation or up to 1 year if an implant is involved. Aims: The study aimed to assess the level of awareness amongst surgical physicians in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia regarding SSIs and risks associated with wound infections. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2024 amongst surgical physicians in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, using a validated, self-administered questionnaire. The study employed a convenience sampling technique. Data were analysed by SPSS using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Spearman’s correlation and multiple linear regression. Results: A total of 175 surgical physicians participated. The mean knowledge score was 11 ± 3.53 out of 20, with 57.1% of participants demonstrating fair knowledge, 12.6% good knowledge and 30.3% poor knowledge regarding SSIs. Professional rank was significantly associated with knowledge levels ( P = 0.038), with residents scoring higher than interns ( B = 1.24, P = 0.038), whereas specialists and consultants did not differ significantly from interns. Conclusions: Surgical physicians in the Jazan region had a modest awareness of SSIs. Critical gaps were identified in understanding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of SSIs, the optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis and effective infection control practices. These findings highlight the need for structured, targeted educational interventions, particularly for junior physicians.