Magnitude of Post-Caesarean Wound Infections in Three Public Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia

Background and Objective: Post-caesarean wound infections, caused mainly by drug-resistant pathogens, is a maternal health concern leading to increased morbidity and extended hospital stays. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of post-caesarean wound infections, bacteriological profile, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and associated factors among women suspected of post-caesarean wound infections attending three public hospitals in Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in three public hospitals in Southern Ethiopia among pregnant women who had undergone caesarean section (CS). A total of 204 women who were clinically diagnosed with infected wounds within 30 days of follow-up were included in the bacteriological analysis. The data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Results: Of the 204 samples, 85.78% were culture-positive, yielding 203 bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate (n = 65, 32%). Overall, 70.4% (n = 143) of isolates were multi-drug resistant, including S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producers and carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales. Parity, previous CS, diabetes mellitus and emergency CS were significantly associated. Conclusion: The study shows a high prevalence of wound infections and a bewildering increase in multi-drug resistance, posing a significant maternal health concern. Targeted hospital infection prevention and control strategies and effective surveillance can help to minimize the severity.