Incidence, risk factors and Microorganisms for post caesarean Surgical Site Infection In A Tertiary Care Centre in Bangladesh

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication following caesarean section (C-section) and mainly responsible for increased maternal morbidity and higher treatment costs. This study will determine the incidence and risk factors of surgical site infections following caesarean section in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational study which was conducted among patients having post caesarean surgical site infections attending post-natal outdoor clinic of DMCH from January, 2019 to December, 2019. Data were collected in structured questionnaire. Culturebased microbiological methods were used to identify causal agents in postoperative wounds. Results: Overall SSI rate following caesarian section was 4.44%.Patient related risk factors were inadequate antenatal check-up, emergency procedures, malnutrition (22.44%), anaemia (21.46%) associated comorbidity (59.46%), history of rupture membrane >12 hours (40.98%) and had history of prolonged labour pain >12 hours (16.10%).Surgery related risk factors were repeated per vaginal examinations by untrained birth attendant (21.95%) & duration of surgery>1 hour (62.93%). The most common organisms responsible for SSI were Staphylococcus aureus 44(21.46%) and Escherichia coli 31(15.12%). The most sensitive antibiotics were aminoglycosides, cephalosporin & cloxacillin. Conclusion: Most of the risk factors for surgical site infection following caesarean section identified in this study can be modified through intervention. However the microorganisms detected from our patient showed a high degree of resistance for commonly prescribed antimicrobials in our set-up.