Abstract:

Background: Surgical sites infections (SSIs) are currently considered as global health concern as they are associated with increased mortality among critically ill patients. Despites of several studies conducted at Bugando Medical Center (BMC), still there is a gap among patient admitted in plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) department at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania. This study aims at determining the patterns of SSIs that is to determine the prevalence, causative pathogens and antibiotics profile and risk factors of SSIs among patients who were admitted in plastic and reconstructive surgery department within 48 hours after surgery.

Methodology: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted from June to August 2021, among patients admitted at PRS department at BMC, Mwanza Tanzania. Patients were enrolled in the study within 48 hours after surgery in the PRS department and then followed up to observe if they developed signs and symptoms of SSIs whereby pus swab samples were collected and then sent to Microbiology laboratory at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) for processing according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). Culture and sensitivity results were used to review empirical therapy in case where pre administered antibiotics was resistant, switching to sensitive antibiotics was done promptly. STATA software version 13.0 was used for data analysis as per study’s specific objectives.

Results: The study revealed that out of 116 participants, 41.38 % (48/116) patients developed clinical presentations of SSIs of which 45.8% (22/48) had positive microbial growth on culture media. Gram negative bacteria were predominantly isolated 95.5% (21/22) with the leading of P. aeruginosa 36.4% (8/22). Also there was a significant association between the use of antibiotics and culture positive, were as percentage of those on antibiotic use against those not on antibiotics was 87.5% and 12.5% respectively with p=0.049.

Conclusion This study shows high prevalence of SSIs among patients admitted in plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) department at Bugando. Therefore, we recommend that the unit should improve observation of infection prevention and control measures during attending patients in the unit.