A Systematic Review of the Incidence and Pattern of Surgical Site Infection in Orthopedic Surgery in Africa

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major health challenge in Africa, leading to poor patient outcomes. This study aims to systematically review and summarize existing research on the rate and patterns of SSIs in orthopedic surgery across Africa. A thorough search was conducted using databases such as Embase (via Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar for literature published between January 2000 and July 2024. The search used terms such as "surgical site infection," "SSI," "surgical wound infection," "orthopedic surgery," and "Africa." After screening, studies that did not meet the criteria were excluded, leaving seven studies (five retrospective and two prospective) with 989 patients who had undergone orthopedic procedures in both elective and emergency settings. The overall incidence of SSIs was 10.5%, affecting 104 patients, with rates ranging from 4.2% in Ethiopia to 39% in Togo. Of the infections reported, 43% were superficial, 26% were deep, 11% affected organ space, and 20% were chronic. This review sheds light on the high rates of SSIs in orthopedic surgeries in Africa, emphasizing the need for better infection control and improved surgical practices. More research is necessary to fill the gaps and develop strategies that can be applied in different healthcare settings.