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Post Caesarean Section Infections at Juaso Hospital

Philip K Boateng

Introduction: Today, post caesarean section infections are a major cause of continuous stay in the hospital which increases the cost to the health care system. A research reported post caesarean section infections as the most prevalent health care associated infection. Globally, post caesarean section infections are comparatively higher in developing countries as compared to develop one. High rates of post caesarean section infections were reported in several lower and middle income countries: there was a prevalence of 16% in Nigeria, 19% in Tanzania and 9.7 in Vietnam among others. In Ghana, a study by Cohen showed that risk of CS was increased in all age categories of 30 years or more compared to women younger than 30 years. A report obtained in a study conducted in Cape Coast also showed that 68% of respondents’ main source of information was from the media. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reported that 11% of women who had a live birth in two years prior to the survey delivered by CS. In a study, unemployed women have a probability of caesarean delivery 14% higher than that of working women. Studies done by other researchers found age (especially younger age), obesity, diabetes, chorioamnionitis, PROM, emergency CS and longer operation time to be can be the causes post CS infection. Accordingly, Italian mothers with low education levels consistently give birth by a caesarean delivery more often than highly educated women. Majority (55%) of the women were unemployed. Similarly, women with the lowest level of education in Norway had the highest probability of caesarian delivery. Also women undergoing CS are at risk sepsis and postnatal infections. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that CS should be done only when indicated; that is, if normal delivery will have an adverse effect on mother or baby. Few studies have been conducted on women’s knowledge about post CS infections in Ghana and no study is known about it in Asante Akim South Municipal. Therefore, the study is aimed at determining women’s knowledge of post CS infections at the Juaso Government Hospital.

Background: The study was conducted at the Juaso Government Hospital located at the Asante Akim South Municipal in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The hospital is 50 bedded facilities established in and it provides health care services to many people in Juaso and its environs. An average of 1000 women visits the hospital to give birth at the maternity ward. The maternity department provides antenatal, childbirth and post-partum services. This study was therefore conducted at the maternity ward of the Juaso Government Hospital.

Method:- The study population consisted of pregnant women attending antenatal at the maternity wards of the Juaso Government Hospital. Here, a purposive sampling technique was used to select the women who have went through caesarean sections and consented to participate in the study. The study employed the descriptive cross sectional design was conducted to assess women’s knowledge of post caesarean section infections at Juaso Government Hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to determine the knowledge of post ceasarian section infections at the Juaso Government Hospital. The questionnaire was in English and pretested among 10 pregnant mothers.

Results: The results of Figure 1 show that out of the 80 pregnant women. Majority of the respondents 34(42.50%) respondents were between 30 and 34 years. 25(31.25%) were between 25 and 29 years. 14(17.50%) respondents were between 20 and 24 years. Few respondents 7(8.50%) were 30 years and above. The results of Figure 2 show that out of the 80 pregnant women, majority 42(53%) of them were married. However, 38(47%) of them were single. The results of Figure 3 show that out of the 80 pregnant women, majority 46(57.50%) of them had formal education. 22(27.50%) respondents had informal education. Also, 12(15%) respondents had formal education. The results show that out of the 80 pregnant women, majority 44(55%) of them were unemployed. 19(23.75%) were selfemployed whiles the rest 17(21.25%) were government employees. The results of Figure 5 show that out of the 80 pregnant women, majority 68(85%) of them were had not have a previous caesarian section whiles 12(15%) respondents have had a previous caesarian section. The results of this study showed the knowledge post caesarean section infections at Juaso government hospital. It was deduced from the study that the most of the women (42.50%) in the study were between 30 and 34 years. This was anticipated because it represents the reproductive age group commonly seen in Ghana. The results of the study is similar to a study by Cohen risk of CS was increased in all age categories of 30 years or more compared to women younger than 30 years. Also, most of the women of the study (53%) were married. Most women (57.50%) had formal education. Women with the lowest level of education in Norway had the highest probability of ceasarian delivery. Accordingly, Italian mothers with low education levels consistently give birth by a caesarean delivery more often than highly educated women. Majority (55%) of the women were unemployed.

Biography

Philip Knight Boateng is an Independent researcher working as a Analyst at Knight Research Unit, Kumasi, Ghana