Factors associated with surgical site infection among women undergoing obstetrics surgery at Felegehiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Surgical site infections are one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in low- and middle-income countries, which cause prolonged hospital stays and increase patient susceptibility to other nosocomial infections. Hence, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of surgical site infections among women who underwent obstetric surgeries in Felegehiwot Specialized Hospital, Amhara, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia in 2018. Methods An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to April 30, 2018, in Felegehiwot Specialized Hospital. Retrospective card review was done on 447 women who underwent obstetric surgeries at Felegehiwot Hospital from September 1, 2016, to August 30, 2017. The systematic sampling technique was used to select patient medical cards. Results This study revealed that the prevalence of surgical site infection was 9.4% with [95% CI = 6.9%, 12.1%]. Chorioamionitis[AOR = 3.73; 95% CI = 1.22, 11.4], pregnancy-induced hypertension[AOR = 6.4, 95% CI = 2.26, 18.2], diabetes mellitus [AOR = 3.99; 95% CI = 1.03, 15.5], thickness of subcutaneous tissue > 2 cm [AOR = 4.05; 95% CI = 1.75, 9.4], duration of labor > 24 h [AOR = 5.25; 95% CI = 2.32, 11.8], and urinary tract infections [AOR = 7.78; 95% CI = 1.4, 43.25] were the predictors of surgical site infection. Conclusion It has been revealed that the magnitude of the surgical site infection rate following obstetric surgery was higher compared to the standard CDC guidelines of surgical site infection. Duration of labor stays more than 24 h, chorioamnionitis, pregnancy-induced hypertension, urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus, and thickness of subcutaneous tissue more than 2 cm were associated with surgical site infections. In addition to complication readiness, birth preparedness, and setting their antenatal care follow-up at the hospital with special and targeted services can reduce the magnitude of surgical site infection.