An increase in surgical site infections post caesarean section among postnatal mothers at a Central Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe

25^th World Congress on Nursing Care

July 24-26, 2017 Melbourne, Australia

Lilian Gertrude Dodzo

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Zimbabwe

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is a common cause of maternal deaths in Zimbabwe and other developing countries. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative microorganisms following caesarean section and has been proved to be resistant to commonly available antibiotics like penicillin. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SSIs post caesarean section among postnatal mothers, to assess the knowledge of health care providers on Infection Prevention And Control (IPC) measures in a maternity unit, to establish the factors contributing to increase in SSIs post caesarean sections and also to evaluate the practices on IPC measures among health care providers in a maternity unit. A retrospective cohort study was done on postnatal mothers who had caesarean section, nurses and doctors working in maternity units such as labor ward, theatres and postnatal wards. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the study participants and a checklist for assessment of the environment in different settings. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. The study revealed that a significant increase in SSIs post caesarean section among postnatal mothers, lack of knowledge on IPC measures among postnatal mothers and health care providers and lack of compliance on IPC measures among postnatal mothers and health care providers.

Biography :

Lilian Gertrude Dodzo is a Principal Nursing Officer at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe. She has Doctor of Philosophy degree, Master’s degree in Nursing Science (MCH and Midwifery Major) and several other qualifications and has vast experience in nursing and midwifery education, practice, regulation and research. Presently, she is the President for Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives and the Chairperson of Nurses Council of Zimbabwe and Reviewer of AJM and currently focuses on publishing of scientific articles.

Email: dodzolilian@yahoo.com liliangertrudedodzo@gmail.com