Postoperative Surgical Site Infection among Patients with Caesarean Delivery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections are the commonest nosocomial infections following surgeries. They not only increase the morbidity and mortality following surgeries but also have a great impact both psychologically and financially. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of postoperative surgical site infection among patients with caesarean delivery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary care centre after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 495(6-11)E2 077/078). Data from 1 July 2021 to 1 July 2022 were collected between 1 September 2022 to 30 November 2022 from the hospital records. All the pregnant women undergoing caesarean delivery during the study period were included. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Out of 1326 patients who underwent caesarean delivery, surgical site infection was seen in 38 (2.86%) (1.96-3.76, 95% Confidence Interval). Among 38 women, anaemia was seen in 11 (28.94%), diabetes mellitus in 6 (15.79%) and hypertension in 5 (13.16%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of surgical site infection following caesarean delivery was found to be lower than other studies done in similar settings.