Abstract
Background In 2016, the third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3) task force provided revised definitions for sepsis and septic shock. This study explores knowledge regarding sepsis among health workers in Lambaréné, Gabon.Methods We conducted a self-administered questionnaire-based survey about sepsis among health workers from the referral regional hospital, the research center, and primary care health facilities in the Lambaréné region. Participants were from the referral regional hospital, the research center, and primary health care facilities. A score of one was given to each correct answer. The global score out of a possible score of twenty was calculated, and the proportion of correct responses was determined.Results A total of 115 health workers (physicians, nurses and assistant nurses) completed the questionnaire, of which 48.7% (56/115) provided a valid definition of sepsis, but 74% (85/115) had never heard about the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score. The proportion of correct answers was comparable across the three health profession categories. The median global score across all health workers was 11 [IQR, 9-14.5] out of 20. Physicians attained higher global scores [14 (IQR, 11-15)] than assistant nurses [11 (IQR, 8-13), P=0.007]; their global score was comparable to that of nurses.Conclusion There are considerable knowledge gaps regarding sepsis among health workers in Lambaréné, potentially impairing the prompt recognition and management of sepsis. There is a need to establish periodic up-to-date training to improve sepsis knowledge.
Highlights
In 2016, the third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3) task force provided revised definitions for sepsis and septic shock
The definition of sepsis has been revised recently, with sepsis being defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (Singer et al, 2016)
While studies assessing the knowledge on sepsis have been performed in various settings (Eitze et al, 2018; Rubulotta et al, 2009; Watkins et al, 2020; Zaccone et al, 2017; Ziglam et al, 2006), few studies were performed in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) to date (Brizuela et al, 2019; Marshall-Brown et al, 2016)
Summary
In 2016, the third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3) task force provided revised definitions for sepsis and septic shock. This study explores knowledge regarding sepsis among health workers in Lambarene, Gabon. The definition of sepsis has been revised recently, with sepsis being defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (Singer et al, 2016). The previous definition using the systemic inflam matory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria lead to the inclusion of an excess of patients with infection or inflammation, and yielded a low specificity (Schmedding et al, 2019; Singer et al, 2016). We hypothesise that in LMICs within Africa such as Gabon, knowledge about sepsis among health workers is sub-optimal. This study investigates knowledge regarding sepsis awareness and management among health workers in Lambarene, Gabon
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