Investigation of the Association of Surgical Site Infection with Socio demographic Factors and Clinical Factors

Abstract

A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection of a wound from a surgery. It is a global problem in the field of surgery associated with long hospital stay, higher treatment expenditure, morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation of post-surgical wound infection with several socio-demographic factors including gender, age group and occupation as well as some clinical factors like – duration of hospital stay, surgery performed and the comorbidities of the respondents. Methodology and Results: This cross sectional study involved 250 patients suffering from post-surgical wound infection as respondents and the culture sensitivity tests of bacterial isolates obtained from pus samples. The study was conducted from June 2017 to May2018. Data regarding the patient’s age, gender, occupation, surgery performed, duration of hospital stay and comorbidity was documented using a standard questionnaire. Male patients suffered from post-surgical wound infection more (68.2%) than female patients (31.8%). Patients aged from 51 to 60 years old were more affected (21.5%) than the patients of other age groups. According to this study, employees were at higher risk (20.5%) compared to people from other occupations. Post-surgical wound infection was more frequently observed in the patients who went for hand surgery in burn unit (17.9%). Intensive occurrence of this type of infection was found in the patients who stayed in the hospital from 11 to 20 days (35.4%). Statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) was observed in case of age group and duration of hospital stay. Conclusion and Significance: This study will help the public to become more conscious about surgical site infection and help them to maintain good health and hygienic environment everywhere. This study will also assist the clinicians to select appropriate therapeutic measures for particular patients.