Prevalence of bacterial infections and factors associated with death related to these infections in two medical departments of a tertiary hospital in Dakar, Senegal

Objectives

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of bacterial infections and identify the factors associated with death related to these infections in the internal medicine (Brévié) and infectious diseases departments (Boufflers) of Dakar Principal Hospital.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out from January 1 to December 31, 2023, including patients with bacterial infections hospitalized in Boufflers and Brévié. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with death.

Results

Out of 1,085 hospitalized patients, 181 (16.7%) had bacterial infections. The mean age was 60±18 years, with a sex ratio of 1.08. Urinary tract infection (37%) was the most represented clinical presentation. Bacteria were isolated in 123 patients (68%), with Escherichia coli (39%), Staphylococcus aureus (12%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12%) as the most represented species. Of the 140 identified bacteria, 78 (55.7%) were multidrug-resistant. The death rate was 15%. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-9.5), prior hospitalization (OR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.1-8.5), and hemoglobin levels between 3.4 g/dl and 7 g/dl (OR = 11.7; 95% CI 2.5-60) or between 8 g/dl and 11 g/dl (OR = 4.9; 95% CI 1.6-18.4) compared with levels ≥11 g/dl were associated with death.

Conclusions

This study showed a high prevalence and mortality rate of bacterial infections in the internal medicine and infectious diseases departments, particularly among older adult patients, those with a history of hospitalization, or those with low hemoglobin levels.