Prevalence of surgical site infection and its associated factors after cesarean section in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) affects up to one third of patients who have undergone a surgical procedure. It is a significant cause of surgical patient morbidity, mortality and human and financial costs threat. The national prevalence of SSI among mothers who undergo for cesarean section and its risk factors are not well investigated in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic and meta-analysis conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of surgical site infection and its associated factors after cesarean section in Ethiopia.Methods Original articles were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, HINARI portal (which includes the SCOPUS, African Index Medicus, and African Journals Online databases), and Cochrane Library. Data were extracted using a standard data extraction checklist that developed according to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The I2 statistic was used to quantify heterogeneity across studies. Funnel plot asymmetry and Egger’s tests were used to check for publication bias. A fixed effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of surgical site infection. Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was also used to determine the association of identified variables with surgical site infection. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA software.Result From initial 179 identified articles, 11 were eligible for inclusion in the final meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of surgical site infection after cesarean section in Ethiopia was 9.72% (95%CI: 8.38, 11.05). PROM >12hrs (OR=5.02, 95%CI: 2.65, 9.51), duration of labor>24hrs (OR=3.69, 95%CI: 2.41, 5.65), chorioamnionitis (OR=9.11, 95%CI: 5.21, 15.93), anemia (OR=4.75, 95%CI: 2.42, 9.33) and having vertical skin incision (OR=4.17, 95%CI: 2.90, 6.02) were factors significantly associated with surgical site infection after cesarean section.Conclusion The prevalence of surgical site infection after cesarean section in Ethiopia was high. Therefore, Minister of Health with its stake holders should emphasis on community and institution based programs in manner to prevent those factors listed above that have significant effect on surgical site infection.