Asymptomatic staphylococcus aureus surgical wound infections among post caesarean section mothers at the Gynaeccology and Obstetric wards of Kisenyi health center iv, Kampala Uganda

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection is one of the hospital acquired infections that threatens health systems. The treatment for such infections is majorly based on antibiotics, but Staphylococcus aureus is becoming increasingly resistant to commonly used antibiotics leading to a menace. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus infection and associated factors among post scissor mothers at Kisenyi HCIV Kampala Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory based study was conducted over a period of 6 months. 81 mothers were recruited into the study, and their CS wounds swabbed. Data was analyzed using STATA software package version 14.2, and Staphylococcus aureus frequency calculated. For continuous variables, frequency distribution was calculated, and data presented in frequency tables and proportions for categorical variables. Chi-squared test was used to assess associations between the categorical variables and wound infection. Stepwise logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors independently associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection. All levels of statistical significance were established at p<0.05. Results: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus infection was 29.63%. The risk factor associated with the infection was post CS bandaging change (p=0.02). Staphylococcus aureus isolated was highly resistant to Ampicillin and Sulfamethoxazole while sensitive to Vancomycin and Rifampicin. Conclusion: Proper assessment of prevalence and risk factors is critical for the development of strategies reducing the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infection and for identification of mothers requiring intensive postoperative surveillance.

Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, drug sensitivity, logistic regression, caesarean section