PUERPERAL SEPSIS AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO: A TEN YEAR REVIEW

Bilal Sulaiman*, Karima Abubakar Tunau, Sadiya Nasir, Mairo Hassan and Yakubu Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Background: Puerperal sepsis, an infection of the genital tract following childbirth is among the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Developing countries are the worst affected. It occurs as intrauterine infection preceding or during labour (clinical chorioamnionitis) and early postpartum infection following child birth (postpartum endometritis). Objectives: To determine the incidence of puerperal sepsis, organisms and sensitivity pattern as well as morbidity and mortality associated with puerperal sepsis. Materials and method: This was a 10 year retrospective cohort study of women managed for puerperal sepsis from January, 2008 to December, 2017. Records of women with puerperal sepsis were obtained from the postnatal and labour wards, operating theatre, accident and emergency unit and medical records. Data entry and analysis was done with IBM SPSS v23. Results: The incidence of puerperal sepsis was 0.9% and the mean age of the women was 26.2 ± 5.4 years. The modal parity was 1 and 84.9% of the women had no antenatal care. The most common organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus, 13.6% and ceftriaxone 10.1% was the most sensitive antibiotic. Anaemia 6.2% was the most common morbidity and maternal mortality was 15.1%. Conclusion: The incidence of puerperal sepsis is low from this study. While majority of the women did not have any complication, mortality due to puerperal sepsis is high. Culture and sensitivity of causative organisms will be worthwhile for individualised treatment.

Keywords: Puerperium, Sepsis, Sokoto.