Risk factors for surgical site infections following lower-segment caesarean section

Surgical site infections (SSIs) in post-caesarean patients increase the risk of maternal morbidity, health care costs, and have implications for future pregnancies. In this cohort study, we aimed to determine the rates and risk factors of SSI until hospital discharge, as well as the bacterial profiles and antibiogram patterns among women undergoing lower-segment caesarean section (LSCS). SSI was observed in 4.5% of women undergoing LSCS (90/2000), with bacterial growth identified in 72/90 (80.0%). Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii were the predominant organisms. Lower gestational age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.880, 95% CI 0.796-0.972, per additional week], ≥4 vaginal examinations in labor (aOR 2.823, 95% CI 1.405-5.671), duration of surgery (with additional minute, aOR 1.014, 95% CI 1.005-1.022), and clinically suspected chorioamnionitis (aOR 9.409, 95% CI 4.538-19.512) were identified as independent risk factors of SSI before hospital discharge.