Comparative study of proportions of post-operative sepsis _ maternity versus general surgical ward

Abstract:

Abstract: Post-operative sepsis tends to complicate the recovery course of many patients. Across the globe, the proportion of post-operative sepsis varied from 2.9% to 30% in various studies. To determine mean proportion of post-operative sepsis in Maternity and General Surgical wards (GSW) and establish whether there was a significant difference in the proportion of post-operative sepsis between the two departments. The design was part of an Unmatched Retrospective Cohort study of post-operative patients admitted to the Maternity and General Surgical ward over the past 6 months. Random samples of 169 respondents from Maternity and 245 respondents from GSW were compared. Mean proportion of post-operative sepsis was 4.4% and 3.1% for Maternity ward and GSW, respectively. Test statistic, Z₂ (4.98) $\gg$, Z₁ (1.96), fell in the rejection region; hence, H_o was rejected (significant difference in the proportion of sepsis). In the Maternity ward, the risk of post-operative sepsis was more among the unmarried (p = 0.023, COR = 5.550 [1.272–24.219] at 95% CI). In General Surgical Ward (GSW), emergency surgery (11.9%) and complex surgeries (16.3%) carried more risk. Risk of post-operative sepsis in maternity was more among the unmarried (27.3%). For GSW, emergency surgery (11.9%) and complex surgeries (16.3%) carried more risk. Therefore, more effort is needed to combat post-operative sepsis.

Keywords:

• Post-operative sepsis
• surgical site infection
• gulu regional referral hospital

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Post-operative wound infections, also known as surgical site infections (SSIs), tend to complicate the recovery course of many patients. These infections typically occur within 30 days of an operation at the site or part of the body where the surgery took place. Sometimes it occurs within a year if an implant is left in place and the infection is thought to be secondary to surgery. Bacterial colonization on the patient’s skin and alimentary and genital tract is the principal contributing sources that lead to SSIs. Thus, Surgical site infections (SSIs) are infections of the incision or organ or space that occur after surgery. Surgical patients were initially seen with more complex comorbidities and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens increased the cost and challenge of treating SSIs. Therefore, this investigation is worth it.

Acknowledgements

The author does acknowledge and appreciate the corporation of management of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital for the supportive environment accorded while this research was being conducted. I acknowledge the tremendous supervision and guidance by Prof. John Charles Okiria of Clark International University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Special appreciations go to all my respondents, without whom this research would not be possible.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest

Consent for publication

The authors do consent for publication of this article under open access journal. Copy rights are reserved.

Appendix I(a): Data Abstraction Sheet

Appendix II(a): INTERVIEW GUIDE

Appendix III(a): OBSERVATION CHECK LIST FOR HYGIENE PRACTICES

Additional information

Funding

No external fund was granted for this study except Article Processing Cost (APC) which was waived off by Taylor and Francis Publication Company.

Notes on contributors

Omona Kizito

Dr Omona Kizito is a Medical Doctor and Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala. He holds a PhD in Mgt [Healthcare Mgt], Master of Science in Health Services Mgt (MSc. HSM), Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation (MSc. M & E), Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Mgt (PGD PPM), Post Graduate Certificate in Project Monitoring and Evaluation (PGC M & E), and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree. He is currently engaged in teaching Public Health and Health Services Management at graduate and postgraduate levels, Research Supervision in the said areas and levels and community engagement, among others.

His major research areas are: Clinical Research, Public Health, Maternal and Child health

Researches, Health system research, and others.