Physicians` awareness level assessment of the epidemiology and diagnosis features of nosocomial infection caused by Clostridium difficile in a multidisciplinary hospitals

Background. Clostridium difficile has an important place among healthcare associated infections pathogens , mainly due to the widespread and inappropriate antibiotics use. Over the past 10 years an incidence of this infection has increased in the USA and European countries. Unfortunately, Clostridium difficile infection cases in the Russian Federation are almost not register, probably due to the lack of physicians awareness and underestimation of the pathogen role in the etiology of nosocomial infections. The study purpose is to study the different specialties physicians awareness of patients` Clostridium difficile infections development in multidisciplinary hospitals. Materials and methods. A questionnaire survey of 115 physicians of two multidisciplinary hospitals in Kazan was carried out. The questionnaire included 15 questions related to etiology, transmission mechanism, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention of C. difficile infection. Statistical data processing was carried out in MS Excel. Results. A low level of physicians` awareness on this issue was revealed. 92.2% of physicians did not have any Clostridium difficile infection cases in their practice. 31.3% of respondents underestimate the role of antibiotic use as the main risk factor for the development of the disease; at the same time, there are frequent cases of unreasonable prescription of antibiotics. 32.2% of the respondents are poorly informed about diagnosis methods of clostridiosis. 20% of physicians deny the role of bacteria carriers as a source of infection. 77.4% of respondents indicated the alimentary route as the main route of infection transmission. Only 38.2% of respondents noted the hospital environment objects as a possible factor in the transmission of Clostridium difficile. Conclusions. There is no alertness regarding antibiotic-associated diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile infection among multidisciplinary hospital physicians. Insufficient knowledge of epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory diagnostics of Clostridium difficile infection are factors that determine the low frequency of its detection and, accordingly, impede the implementation of required anti-epidemic measures. There is a need to include Clostridium difficile infection issues in professional development programs for medical workers. It is advisable to develop and implement Clostridium difficile infection control.