TITLE:
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection Following Cesarean Section in a Tertiary Care Hospital
AUTHORS:
Nafisa Ahamed, Md. Alimur Reza, Kakali Saha, Rabeya Khanom, Shovana Talukder, Arifa Akram
KEYWORDS:
Surgical Site Infection (SSI), Cesarean Section, Risk Factors
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.2,
February
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Cesarean sections have become increasingly prevalent in both developed and developing nations. Nevertheless, postoperative complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs), remain a substantial concern that contributes to heightened morbidity and mortality. This study is designed to evaluate the frequency and key determining factors associated with surgical site infections following cesarean section procedures in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study, conducted at the Gynecology Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, involved 100 patients aged 15 - 45 who had cesarean deliveries. Data was collected during hospitalization and post-discharge and analyzed to determine the prevalence and relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and surgical site infection. Results: Among the study participants, 14% developed surgical site infections following cesarean operations. More than half of these patients were under the age of 25, with a mean age of 24.45 ± 4.44 years. Surgical site infections were more prevalent in individuals over 30 years old (P-value Conclusion: Post-cesarean surgical site infections are notably prevalent among the participants in this study. Several risk factors have been identified, including age, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status, anemia, preterm delivery, personal hygiene practices, regular menstrual cycles, and adherence to antenatal check-ups. The implementation of an effective awareness program, coupled with updated antibiotic protocols, is crucial for significantly reducing the incidence of these infections.