Abstract:
Surgical site infection is defined by the Disease Control and Prevention criteria as
an infection occurring within 30 days after the operation and involves the skin incision and
subcutaneous tissue and/or the deep soft tissue of the incision or organ/space. Surgical site
infection following cesarean section is a common cause of morbidity with a reported rate of 3-
15%.
Methods and materials: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021
to October /2021. All women delivered by cesarean section in Hiwot Fana specialized university
Hospital during data collection period were my study population. Data were collected using
structured questionnaire and checklist. Data processing and analysis was done using SPSS
statistical software version 20. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions analysis
performed to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. The degree of
association between dependent and independent variables assessed using adjusted odds ratio with
95% confidence interval and P-value <0.05. Culture based microbiological method were used to
identify causal agents in postoperative wounds.
Results: prevalence of surgical site infection was 7.74% (95%CI: 7.68, 7.80). Rupture of
membrane before operation (AOR=4.04, 95%CI: 1.52, 10.79), labore duration >24 hours
(AOR=4.04, 95%CI: 1.52, 10.79), midline skin incision (AOR=3.76, 95%CI: 1.47, 9.58) and
postoperative HGB<11g/dl (AOR=3.42, 95%CI: 1.32, 8.87) were significantly associated with
surgical site infection.
Staphylococcus aureus was the dominant isolated pathogen, followed by Escherichia coli.
Conclusions: Rupture of membrane before operation, absence of ANC care, labore duration >24
hours, midline skin incision and postoperative HGB<11g/dl were independent factors. Cesarean
deliveries with prolonged labor, prolonged rupture of membrane and post-operative anemia
needs special care and follow up until surgical site infection is ruled out. It is also advisable to
reduce generous midline skin incision and better replaced with pfannensteil incision
