Prevalence and predictors of surgical-site infection after caesarean section at a rural district hospital in Rwanda.

BACKGROUND: There are few prospective studies of outcomes following surgery in rural district hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and predictors of surgical-site infection (SSI) following caesarean section at Kirehe District Hospital in rural Rwanda. METHODS: Adult women who underwent caesarean section between March and October 2017 were given a voucher to return to the hospital on postoperative day (POD) 10 (±3 days). At the visit, a physician evaluated the patient for an SSI. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for SSI, built using backward stepwise selection. RESULTS: Of 729 women who had a caesarean section, 620 were eligible for follow-up, of whom 550 (88·7 per cent) returned for assessment. The prevalence of SSI on POD 10 was 10·9 per cent (60 women). In the multivariable analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with SSI: bodyweight more than 75 kg (odds ratio (OR) 5·98, 1·56 to 22·96; P = 0·009); spending more than €1·1 on travel to the health centre (OR 2·42, 1·31 to 4·49; P = 0·005); being a housewife compared with a farmer (OR 2·93, 1·08 to 7·97; P = 0·035); and skin preparation with a single antiseptic compared with a combination of two antiseptics (OR 4·42, 1·05 to 18·57; P = 0·043). Receiving either preoperative or postoperative antibiotics was not associated with SSI. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SSI after caesarean section is consistent with rates reported at tertiary facilities in sub-Saharan Africa. Combining antiseptic solutions for skin preparation could reduce the risk of SSI.

[Global Health Care]. / Global Health Care.

Global health data are changing rapidly and they show large regional differences. The incidence and mortality of infectious diseases can be reduced by successes in medical research, national health plans and large financial expenditure. In contrast, illnesses that are caused by unhealthy and changing environmental and living conditions are on the rise. The Global Health Care concept is a cross-sectoral master plan taking into account that worldwide health cannot be established by healthcare workers alone. It was designed to have a lasting impact on the cause of disease through global health programs, of which improved medical services, including essential surgical treatment need to play a key role.