Prevalence of Surgical Site Infection and Associated Factors Among Post‐Operative Patients

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are infections that occur at or near the surgical site within 30 days of surgery (up to 90 days following surgery where an implant is involved). They are the major cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide, with significant implications for patient health and healthcare costs. In Ethiopia, surgical site infection rates range from 5% to 25.5%, posing a critical challenge for healthcare systems. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify factors associated with surgical site infections in post-operative patients at Eka Kotebe General Hospital between September 3 and December 30, 2022. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 236 post-operative patients. Post-operative patients who stayed at the hospital for over 72 h with complete records were included, while those critically ill, discharged ealier, absent, or with incomplete records were excluded. Data were collected using KoBo Toolbox and analysed with SPSS. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant factors associated with surgical site infections. The prevalence of surgical site infection was 9.3%. Identified significant associated factors for surgical site infection included older age, history of smoking, prolonged operation duration, non-ambulatory status, blood transfusion, and contaminated or dirty wound types. The study highlights a high prevalence of surgical site infection, with key associated factors that can inform targeted prevention strategies in healthcare settings.