Abstract:
Background: Puerperal sepsis is the second cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the
resource poor countries. One‘s susceptibility to developing an infection is related to such factors
as cesarean section, prolonged labor, obesity, anemia and poor prenatal nutrition, socio economic
status, geographical factors amongst others. Though these risk factors are assumed to be high in
Ethiopia it is not well studied in Ethiopia in general and in Jimma University Specialized
Hospital in particular. Thus, this study aimed to fill this gap.
Objective: - To identify risk factors for puerperal sepsis and determine their association among
mothers who gave birth in Jimma university specialized hospital.
Method: This research had been conducted in JUSH from March 1-30, 2016. A case control
study was conducted to identify risk factors for puerperal sepsis and to determine their
association with puerperal sepsis. A sample of 54 cases has been selected by simple random
sampling from all cases of puerperal sepsis registered on the log book for the year 2015. By
using 2:1 ratio, 108 controls has been selected randomly among all deliveries not encountering
puerperal sepsis in the year period by taking sampling frame from the log book. Card numbers
has been used to assess the delivery record cards of mothers for both cases and controls and data
has been collected by reviewing the record cards using prepared check-list, data collection has
been collected by two Bsc nurses who have been recruited from the hospital staffs. Data was
entered into SPSS V 20, bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to
identify factors associated with puerperal sepsis. Odds ratio along with 95%CI was used to
declare the level of significance and the strength of the associations.
Result:-A total of 54(33.3%) cases and 108(67.7%) controls were included in the study,
variables identified as significantly associated with puerperal sepsis were, ANC follow-up
(AOR=8.47, 95% CI(2.292, 31.314), prolonged PROM(AOR=8.27 95% CI(1.772, 38.625),
anemia (AOR=10.14 95% CI(1.772, 58.061) and the use of prophylaxis antibiotic before
delivery(AOR=10.28 95% CI (3.693, 28.638).
Conclusion and recommendation:-In this study variables significantly associated with
puerperal sepsis were ANC follow-up, prolonged PROM, anemia, and the use of prophylaxis
antibiotic before delivery, so it is mandatory to prevent these risk factors of puerperal sepsis.
