Knowledge Assessment of Hospital Nursing Staff Regarding Clostridioides difficile Infection

Objective: Clostridioides difficile, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus, has emerged as a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, significantly contributing to infectious diarrhea and increasing healthcare costs. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study polled Saudi Arabian nursing staff from July 2023 till December 2023 to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and habits regarding C. difficile infection (CDI). They were evaluated using a pre-tested, standardized questionnaire. Results: A total of 358 nurses in Saudi Arabia were surveyed, and 66% reported having knowledge of C. difficile procedures. However, only 30.5% of respondents correctly classified C. difficile as an anaerobic bacillus, while 42% were aware of the organism’s common occurrence in healthy adult volunteers. Additionally. 56% of respondents were aware of risk factors, and 49% could name typical medicines that might cause illness. Merely 24% acknowledged the cytotoxin test as the gold standard for detection. Of those who responded, 27% identified hand washing your hands was the greatest preventive approach and 36% thought that oral metronidazole was the best course of action. Conclusions: These findings highlight the global challenge that nurses are adequately knowledgeable on C. difficile. They stress the necessity of continuing education and training to enhance CDI management and patient outcomes, regardless of geographical variances.