Predictors of Surgical Site Infection And Bacteriological Pathogens Implicated In Surgical Wounds Among Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery At General Hospital Funtua,Katsina State

Abstract

ABSTRACT . Infection has always been a feature of human life and sepsis in modern surgery   continue to be a significant problem for health care practioneers across the globe. Surgical site infection (SSI) continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in developing countries despite recent advances in aseptic techniques. Aim.  The study is aimed at examining the predictors and bacteriological pathogens implicated in  surgical wounds among patients undergoing major surgery at General Hospital Funtua,Katsina State. A cross sectional study was used involving all subjects who underwent major surgery in surgical wards.  Material and Methods. A  purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit the total sample size of one hundred and twenty seven. Pre-operative, intra-operative and postoperative data were collected   using standardized data collection form based on CDC/WHO criteria .Wound specimens where collected and processed as per standard operative procedure. Data were analyzed using SPSS and STATA.  Results. SSIs  were  detected in 28 (22.05%) subjects of whom all had superficial SSI and no evidence of deep/ organ space. Among the 28 subjects with surgical site infection based on clinical criteria, 25 (19.6%) had positive aerobic culture giving rise to 19.6% based on bacteriological criteria. Pseudomonas spp was the predominant organism 11 (39.28%), followed by Staphylococcus spp. 5 (17.85%), and Klbsiella spp. in a decreasing frequency.  inadequate operating room ventilation and surgical hand scrub for < 2 minutes were found to have an increased risk for SSI by 34, fold. Subjects within the age limit between 21-30 years have increased risk for SSI by 2 fold, and subjects with co-existing illness (fever), have an increased risk for SSI by 4 fold, OR(3.9).   Conclusion. The study concluded that predictors for  SSIs are associated with modifiable risk factors.  Prevention strategies focusing on factors associated with SSI is necessary in order to reduce the rate of in our setting.

Key words. Surgery, Wounds , Patients , Predictor, SSIs, Pathogens