Prevalence and factors of surgical site infections in surgical wards, Windhoek, Namibia.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a prevalent healthcare-associated infection worldwide, defined as any incisional infection occurring within 30 days post-operation or within 1 year in the presence of an implant. Healthcare-associated infections represent a significant threat to patient health and continue to pose a major global challenge.

Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence of SSI and identify associated factors among patients in surgical wards who have undergone surgical procedures in Windhoek, Namibia.

Setting: This study was conducted in two state hospitals in Windhoek, Namibia.

Methods: This study employed a quantitative, hospital-based cross-sectional design, utilising a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgical procedures between March 2019 and February 2021.

Results: The overall prevalence of SSI was 10.1% (95% confidence interval: 8.4% - 11.8%). Hospitals 1 and 2 had a prevalence of 11.5% and 8.7%, respectively. Factors associated with SSIs were found to be age groups 31-60 years, male patients, postoperative hospital stays ≥ 5 days, emergency surgery, abdominal and lower extremity surgeries, operation referred from other hospitals, previous history of surgery, 1 h-2 h duration of surgery and deceased patients. Diabetes mellitus, HIV/AIDS, cancer, malignancy and multiple comorbidities were also noted to increase the risk of SSIs.

Conclusion: The prevalence of SSI in this study remains high, and therefore, context-based interventions should focus on the factors identified to guide the effective management of patients.

Contribution: This study provides evidence to improve surgical site infections in Namibia.