Determinants of post cesarean section surgical site infection at public hospitals in Dire Dawa administration, Eastern Ethiopia: Case control study

Introduction: Post cesarean section surgical site infection increases both the duration of a patient’s hospital stay and unplanned hospital costs. It can delays recovery, prolongs hospitalization, necessitates readmission, and adds to hospital bills and other morbidities as well as mortalities. Method: Facility-based case-control study was conducted from 1st March to 20th April, 2019 among all the mother records enrolled from 1st January to 31st December, 2018 at Public hospitals in Dire Dawa administration. The records of the mothers’ who had post-cesarean section surgical site infection (119) was extracted by a census and every three consecutive controls (357) for each case were collected by trained data collectors using a structured data extraction tool. Variables which had p-value 35 years (AOR:8.9; 95%CI:1.8,43.9), ≥4 per vaginal examinations (AOR: 4.2; 95%CI:2.16,8.22), current history of Chorioamnionitis (AOR:5; 95%CI:1.05,23.9), previous history of cesarean section (AOR:6.2; 95%CI: 2.72,14.36), provision of antibiotics prophylaxis (AOR:3.2; 95%CI:1.81,5.62), perioperative HCT level 12 hours (AOR:5.4; 95%CI:1.84,15.87) were the independent determinants of post-cesarean section surgical site infection. Conclusion: Increased in age of the mother, higher number of per vaginal examination, having a history of chorioamnionitis, having previous history of cesarean section, not receiving antibiotics prophylaxis, lower perioperative hematocrit level and longer duration of rupture of membrane were statistically significant in multivariable analysis. Therefore; emphasis should be given for mothers who have higher age category, previous cesarean scar and history of choriamnionitis. In addition; provision of antibiotics should be comprehensive for all mothers undergoing cesarean section.