Journal of Pediatric Care

Management of hospital-acquired infections among patients hospitalized at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A prospective crosssectional study

Background: Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) are assimilated when the patient is hospitalized for more than 48 hours. In Ethiopia data are scarce in management appropriateness of HAIs. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and management of HAI among patients admitted at Zewditu Memorial Hospital.

Method: This study was conducted from March 1, 2017 to August 30, 2017. Samples were proportionally allocated among medical, pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics and surgical wards. Data were collected using data abstraction format and supplemented by key informant interview. Management suitability was measured using Infectious Disease Society of America standards and specialists estimation. A multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with HAIs.

Result: The prevalence of HAI was 19.8%. Surgical Site Infection (SSI) and pneumonia accounted for 20 (24.7%) of the infection. Of the 81 patients who established HAIs, 54 (66.67%) of them were treated unfortunately. Doctors’ reply for this difference was information gap, lack of memory, affordability and obtainability issue of first line medications. Younger age (AOR (Adjusted odds ratio) = 8.53, 95% CI: 2.67-27.30); male gender (AOR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.01-4.22); longer hospital stay (AOR= 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06-0.51); and previous hospital admission (AOR=3.22, 95% CI: 1.76- 5.89); were independent predictors of HAIs.

Conclusion: Prevalence of HAIs and inappropriate management were substantially high in this study. Locally conformable guidelines could help to correct inappropriate management.

Author(s):

Segen Gebremeskel Tassew

Abstract | PDF

Share this