PREVALENCE OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL KISUMU, KENYA.

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSI) still remain a major problem resulting in mortality and morbidity the world over. Such infections involve contamination of surgical wounds and occur after 30 days or one year post surgery. The study aimed at investigating the prevalence of SSI at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to purposively select 138 participants retrospectively between July and August 2024. The data obtained was then analyzed using descriptive statistics and results presented in tables, pie charts and bar graphs. The prevalence of SSI in persons aged between 75 and 84 years was 21.7% (n=30), followed by 65-74 with 17% (n=24); 85-94 with 14.5%(n=20) followed by 55-64 years 13.8% (n=19). Individuals aged 15-24 years reported prevalence of 6.6% (n=9). In terms of the sex SSI in females was higher than their male counterparts with 53.6% (n=74) and 46.3% (n=64) respectively. In terms of the pathogens responsible for the cases of SSI in JOOTRH, the most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus 34.8% (n=48), followed by Streptococcus pyogenes 21.7% (n=30). Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were isolated from 17.3% (n=24), while Bacteroides fragilli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa comprised of 4.4% (n=6). Explorative laparoscopic surgery was the most affected type of surgery 21.7%(n=30) while the least was appendectomy, cholecystectomy, cystectomy, oophorectomy, nephrectomy, endoscopy, ileostomy reversal and pyoloplasty with 2.2 % (n=3). This study recommends Optimization of effective preoperative and postoperative health monitoring with appropriate surgical technique for all patients especially the old. Strict guidelines should be developed and followed for the appropriate use of prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotics to reduce resistance and prevent infections.