Abstract
Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but deadly infection that has remained a public health challenge despite technology-supported interventions meant to ameliorate the associated conditions. This study identified risk factors, microbial profiles, and essential gaps in healthcare delivery to inform methods for reducing necrotizing fasciitis’s high morbidity and mortality rates in the region. Methods: A systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature on necrotizing fasciitis and related necrotizing skin and tissue infections [NSTIs] was conducted on PubMed and Scopus from database induction up to 10th December 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses [PRISMA] guidelines were adopted to analyze the epidemiological patterns, microbiological findings, treatment approaches, and outcomes. Data associated with patient demographics, risk factors, microbial isolates, and treatment outcomes were extracted and synthesized. Results: The twenty-nine articles retrieved were screened into nine, which consist of a total of five hundred and five patients based on the selection criteria of the study. More males, 68.1% [344 out of 505], than females, 31.9% [161 out of 505], patients were affected, while the limbs, 47.7% [241 out of 505], were the most affected anatomical site. The co-morbidities included were diabetes mellitus 17.8% [90 out of 505] and trauma 9.3% among others. The most prominent organism was Streptococcus pyogenes, 23.6%. Necrotizing fasciitis infection is prevalent in the East African region with an overall mortality rate of 21%. Conclusion: The high morbidity and mortality rate could be reduced by practicing proper health management of necrotizing fasciitis.
Published Version
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