Hospital acquired infection in a department of hematology-oncology care in the Congo.

Objectives: Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hemato-oncology. The study aims to report the incidence of hospital-acquired infections in patients with hematological malignancies and the risk factors associated with them.

Material and methods: An observational study with cross-sectional data collection was carried out from January 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, in the department of hematology of Brazzaville University Hospital. The study concerned 77 patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies admitted for a course of chemotherapy. Written consent was obtained from each participant. Participants were divided into two groups: with HAI (n=50) and without HAI (n=27). They were compared using the chi-square test and Student's T-test. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the association of HAI with all the risk factors were performed for analysis of the 2 x k contingency tables and repeated using logistic regression.

Results: The cumulative incidence was 64.9% with a 95% confidence interval of [53.8-74.7]. The time to onset of HAIs was 10.6±6.50 days. The incidence of HAI was significantly greater in acute myelogenous leukemia (80%), grade 4 neutropenia (80%). The risk factors were hospitalization stay of over 14 days (OR: 1.09), the regimen: daunorubicin-aracytine (OR: 5.96), the hemoglobin level on admission (OR: 0.72), and the neutropenia of grade 4 (OR: 7.9). The most common clinically identified focus of infection was peripheral venous infections. The fatality rate was 10%.

Conclusion: The determination of HAI and the identification of its risk factors make it possible to establish prevention strategies.