Post Caesarean Section Surgical Site Infections: A Comparative Analysis of Risk Factors Between Infected and Non-Infected Patients in a Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Nuhu Teri James

Kettering General Hospital, UK

Abstract :

Background: Post-caesarean section surgical site infection is associated with significant mor­bidity and mortality. Risk factors vary from one centre to another. Therefore, identifying the relevant risk factors in a centre is necessary to formulate an evidence-based protocol for its prevention. Aim: To compare the risk factors responsible for post-caesarean section surgical site infection between infected and non-infected patients.

Objectives: Determining the prevalence, risk factors, bacterial isolates and antibiotic suscep­tibility for post-caesarean section surgical site infections.

Methodology: This was a prospective study of 140 women who had caesarean section. The incision sites were inspected for evidence of infection on post-operative days two and four. Non-infected patients were discharged and telephoned on days 10, 20 and 30. Those who re­ported symptom(s) of wound infection were examined at the maternity assessment unit and swabs were taken from all infected wounds for microbiological analysis. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 20. The presence of associations between wound infection and known risk factors were tested using chi-square and odd ratio at 95% confidence interval and significant p-value of <0.05.

Results: The prevalence of SSI was 5%, all occurred in patients who had emergency caesar­ean section. Majority (85.7%) occurred among surgeries performed by registrars. Prolonged operation time and premature rupture of membranes significantly increased the likelihood of developing SSI by 14 and 10 times respectively. Staphylococcusaureus was the commonest organism isolated.

Conclusion: Post-caesarean section SSI is common, mainly associated with emergency sur­geries performed by registrars, prolonged operation time and premature rupture of mem­branes.

Biography :

Nuhu Teri James is a Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust, UK. He holds an MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, an MSc in Leadership in Healthcare from the Uni­versity of South Wales, and is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons. His professional interests include maternal health, reproductive medicine, and healthcare leadership.