Incidence and Predictors of Infections Following Open Fracture Treatment in Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Background: The burden of open fractures and their subsequent complications is escalating in low and middle-income countries (LMIC’s) due to an increase in motorized transport and underdeveloped trauma care in these countries this result into infections, long term disability. Thus, pose a financial, physiological, social impact and burden to the health care system as well. This study aims to determine the incidence and predictors of infection following open fracture treatment at our center. Method: This was a longitudinal cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at KCMC from October 2018 to April 2019 involving a total of 124 patients with open fractures who were followed for two months after treatment and evaluated for infection by using ASEPISS score and data was analyzed. Results: This study included a total of 124 study participants. The mean age of the participants was 33 years. The majority 66.1% were living in rural areas, 88.7%, were males and 82.3% of the open fractures were due to road traffic crashes while 59.7% had Gustilo and Anderson grade IIIA, external fixators were the main mode of fracture stabilization 50%. The incidence of infection, after open fracture treatment, was 25.8%. The predictors for infection were Gustilo and Anderson grades, mode of fracture stabilization, fracture pattern, and fracture etiology. Conclusion: This incidence of infection after open fracture treatment was 25.8%, while predictors of infection in open fractures were fracture patterns, fracture grade, fracture etiology and mode of fracture stabilization should be considered while dealing with an open fracture to reduce the incidence of infection after an open fracture treatment.