Background: This study determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of surgical wound infections (SWI) among adult patients who underwent general surgery at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the UPTH Ethics Committee. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of 440 adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent surgery between 2018 and 2023. Data on demographics and clinical characteristics were extracted following the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of SWI. Results: Overall SWI prevalence was 7.3% (32/440; 95% CI: 5.0-10.1%). Mean age was 41.9 (14.1) years, and 60.0% were female. All patients received postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients with SWI were younger (mean: 35.0 vs 42.8 years; p < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays (median: 11 vs 7 days; p = 0.004). In multivariable analysis, each additional year of age reduced SWI odds by 5% (adjusted OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92-0.98; p = 0.004), while gender and surgery type were not significant. Assessment of comorbidities (diabetes, smoking, obesity) was precluded by incomplete documentation (60% missing) and very low documented prevalence (3-4% vs expected 10-30%). No significant temporal trend in SWI prevalence was observed from 2018 to 2023 (p = 0.43). Conclusion: SWI prevalence at UPTH was 7.3%, with younger age identified as an independent risk factor. Improved preoperative screening and prospective surveillance with targeted preventive measures for younger surgical patients may help reduce SWI rates.
Ohemu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.