Publications

The global incidence of cesarean section deliveries has significantly increased, resulting in a rise in postcesareansurgical site infections (SSIs). These infections pose a notable threat to maternal health, oftenleading to prolonged hospital stays, elevated costs, and direct health consequences, particularly inpopulations facing low socioeconomic status, limited resources, and conditions involving forced internaldisplacement due to conflict. Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital lacked prior studies on SSIs, promptingthe initiation of this research to ascertain the prevalence and specific factors linked to post-caesarean SSIswithin the Maternity Ward at FPRRH. The study adopted a retrospective cross-sectional approach, utilizinga pretested checklist to gather information from 110 patient files admitted and operated on in MaternityWard during the six months preceding the investigation. The collected data underwent entry and analysisusing IBM SPSS version 25, incorporating the chi-square test to establish relationships between SSIs andassociated risk factors. Results were presented through tables and charts. The mean age of study participantswas 27.67 years, with a standard deviation of 6 and an age range of 16 to 45 years. A majority (64.3%) wereover 30 years old, over 50% hailed from rural areas, and the majority identified as Christians and weremarried. The overall prevalence of post-caesarean SSIs stood at 12.7%. Statistically significant factorsinfluencing SSIs included gestational age, diabetes mellitus, duration of membrane rupture, chorioamnionitis,preoperative hematocrit levels, and referral to FPRRH. In conclusion, this study revealed a 12.7% prevalenceof post-caesarean SSIs, with gestational age, diabetes mellitus, duration of membrane rupture,chorioamnionitis, preoperative hematocrit levels, and referral to FPRRH identified as significantcontributing factors. Recognizing and addressing these factors early on could guide obstetricians inenhancing their daily practices, ultimately improving the outcomes of cesarean sections and diminishing therisk of post-caesarean SSIs.Keywords: Cesarean section, SSI, Patients, Post caesarean, FPRRH.