Surgical site infections following caesarean sections at Emirati teaching hospital: Incidence and implicated factors

Munther S. Alnajjar,Dalia A. Alashker

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-75582-9

Abstract

The rate of delivery by caesarean sections is increasing globally and, therefore, the incidence of post-caesarean surgical site infections (SSIs) is probably also going to rise. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of SSIs after caesarean operations and to explore the factors associated with an increased risk of post-caesarean SSIs. A retrospective study was performed to assess all women who underwent caesarean sections from January 2016 to December 2017 at Al Ain Hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Backward multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to specify the variables that were significantly and independently connected with the development of post-caesarean SSIs. In total, 807 women underwent caesarean deliveries at the study site hospital during the two-year study period (January 2016–December 2017). Post-operative SSI was detected in 11 (1.4%) of the women who underwent caesarean operations. Of these, 11 (100%) women were diagnosed post-discharge, within 30 days after the date of the surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased gestational age (P = 0.045) was significantly and independently associated with the development of post-caesarean SSI. Increased gestational age was found to be an independent predictor of post-caesarean SSIs. This identified risk factor should inform targeted health care policies to reduce the rate of SSIs.

Highlights

The rate of delivery by caesarean sections is increasing globally and, the incidence of postcaesarean surgical site infections (SSIs) is probably going to rise
In a study conducted in Italy to analyse the obstetric complications, it was found that 60% of deliveries were caesarean sections and 33.3% were performed because of previous bowel surgery[5]
This study aimed at investigating the factors that may be linked to surgical site infections following caesarean procedures in Al Ain Hospital (AAH), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Summary

Introduction

The rate of delivery by caesarean sections is increasing globally and, the incidence of postcaesarean surgical site infections (SSIs) is probably going to rise. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the rate increased; according to the WHO World Statistics Report published in 2015, slightly over a quarter of all births in the UAE were caesarean sections, which is almost double the global recommended rate (10% to 15% )[4] They can save lives, caesarean sections are often performed without therapeutic need, putting women and their infants at danger of short- and long-term health issues. Recuperation after caesarean section can be distressing for low-income women, who often develop a surgical site infection, especially after early hospital discharge. According to the CDC, SSIs are the second most common infectious complication following caesarean section, after urinary tract infections (UTIs) Their incidence ranges from 3 to 15%. Patients with SSIs don’t generally get readmitted; they may use a critical number of resources, including doctors’ offices or emergency division visits, which in turn increase health c osts[21]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion