Prevalence and Associated Factors of Odontogenic Maxillofacial Space Infections Among Adult Patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study (2023-2025)

Odontogenic maxillofacial space infections are life-threatening conditions that result from untreated dental problems, in which bacteria infect the facial fascial spaces from the affected teeth and supporting tissues. Despite their clinical severity, epidemiological data from sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopia remain limited. Understanding their prevalence and associated factors is essential for effective management and prevention.

To determine the prevalence and associated factors of odontogenic maxillofacial space infection among adult patients (aged > 18 years) admitted to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital over 3 years (2023-2025).

A retrospective cross-sectional study using patients' medical records was conducted among patients admitted to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between January 2023 and December 2025. Of these cases, 419 were deemed eligible according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were systematically extracted from the records. For a case to be included, there was a need to have clinical or radiographic evidence that the subject was infected and had pus drainage upon incision and drainage. Data were entered into Epi-Data 4.6, and data analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 26.0 (Windows 10). Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages, and logistic regression analysis were done. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

This study included 419 patient charts; 50 patients had confirmed odontogenic maxillofacial space infection. The prevalence of odontogenic maxillofacial space infection was 12.0% (95% CI: 9.0%-15.0%) among admitted patients. On multivariate analysis, rural residence (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.35-5.40), hypertension (AOR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.15-5.00), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.45-6.60), and delay in healthcare seeking (AOR = 4.00, 95% CI: 1.95-8.20) were independently associated.

The prevalence of odontogenic maxillofacial space infections was relatively high among admitted patients in this tertiary hospital. Rural residence, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and delay in healthcare seeking are associated with the infection. Strengthening early diagnosis and treatment of dental infections, improving access to oral health services, and encouraging timely healthcare-seeking behaviour helps reduce the burden of odontogenic maxillofacial space infections.