To investigate the current situation of knowledge, attitude and behavior of surgical medical staff on the prevention of incisional hernia and analyze the influencing factors.

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 400 medical staff in 32 hospitals in 26 provinces of China by convenience sampling method. Among them, 245 (61.3%) were physicians and 155 (38.8%) were nurses. The survey tools were self-prepared general data questionnaire and surgical medical staff knowledge, attitude and behavior questionnaire on incisional hernia prevention.

There were statistically significant differences between physicians and nurses in the dimensions of knowledge scores of preventing incisional hernia [(36.76±6.05) vs (34.80±7.49) points, P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in attitude and behavior dimension scores [(26.71±0.81) vs (26.41±1.32) points, (13.78±3.26) vs (14.42±3.11) points, P>0.05]. There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge and attitude dimension scores of the prevention of incisional hernia among physicians with different professional titles and working years (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in attitude dimension scores of the prevention of incisional hernia among nurses with different educational backgrounds and professional titles (P<0.05). There were significant differences in knowledge dimension scores between nurses who had received incisional hernia training or not (P<0.05).

The medical staff have a positive attitude towards the prevention of incisional hernia, but the knowledge and behavior practice are relatively poor. Relevant managers should pay attention to the knowledge and skills training of medical staff on the prevention of incisional hernia, to further promote the prevention of incisional hernia and reduce the incidence of incisional hernia.