Abstract:
Background: Surgical site infections are the most common nosocomial infection and
frequently cause morbidity and mortality among inpatients of hospitals. The incidence
varies from hospital to hospital. Several factors affect the development of surgical site
infections. Even though the extent of surgical site infection in Ethiopia is high, there are
no published studies on emergency abdominal surgical site infection and there is no
baseline information regarding SSI in Chiro General Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of abdominal surgical
site infections and associated factors among emergency abdominally operated patients in
Chiro General Hospital, Chiro Town, Eastern Ethiopia,
Materials and Methods: Study Period: A Hospital based cross sectional patient Card
review study was conducted among all emergency abdominal operated cases (652) in three
years. The sample size was computed for single population proportion prevalence of
surgical site infection and the sample size was estimated to be 538. Adding 10%
contingency a total 592 was the total sample size required for this study. A predesigned
and pretested check list was used to collect the data. The data was collected by 3 nurses
trained for the data collection using a checklist prepared for the data collection. Data was
analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software for descriptive statistics and regression.
Results: Among the total of 539 emergency abdominally operated clients the total
prevalence of surgical site infection was 158(29.3%) and with 95% confidence the true
estimate lies 22.2% to 36.39%. On multivariable analysis Age of the patient greater than
50 years are significant contributors for development of Surgical Site Infection. Cases with
preoperative diagnosis of Perforated PUD, AOR=1.637, (95%, CI: [1.112-3.811]) ,
Peritonitis, AOR=1.388,(95%, CI: [1.057-2.663]) , Non-provision of prophylactic
antibiotics preoperatively AOR=131.133, (95%, CI:[ 47.484- 162.143])and dirty wound
contamination class during the procedure, AOR=53.342, (95%, CI: [2.422- 61.175]). were
significantly associated with surgical site infection.
Conclusion: The prevalence of SSI was high. Old age, serious emergency cases such as
perforated PUD, Peritonitis, not providing prophylactic antibiotics and dirty wound class
during the procedure, were the important factors for development of surgical site infection.
Clinicians and other emergency department and surgical ward staffs should provide preoperative
prophylactic antibiotics consistently. Head of surgical ward and staff members
should have strengthened timely surveillance and supervision mechanism of health facility
on surgical site infection
