MAGNITUDE OF HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTIONS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN THE YEAR 2009

Abstract

Abstract Background- Hospital acquired infections (Nosocomial infections) is any infection causing illness that was not present, or in its incubation period, during the time of admission and includes those infections, which occur after 48 hours of admission to the hospital. These infections are a significant hazard in health care facilities, exacting a tremendous toll and causing increased morbidity, mortality and increased length of hospital stay and health care costs. Especially on neonates, the morbidity and mortality of hospital acquired infections are very significant since they don’t have a well-developed immune system or an adaptive immunity that can fight against infections. So, it’s very crucial to understand the extent of this problem, associated factors contributing to it and other variables that can affect this problem. Objective- the main aim of the study was to determine the magnitude of Hospital acquired infections and associated risk factors in Saint Paul’s Millennium Medical College Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 2009. Methods- Institution based, retrospective cross sectional study was conducted to carry out this study. The target population is all neonates who were born in Saint Paul’s millennium medical college neonatal intensive care unit. Data was collected from Hospital cards using a structured questionnaire. After data is collected, it was filled into and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 statistical software. Results: The nosocomial infection rate in the studied neonates were 15.9%. The most frequent infection site was the chest (28.2%) followed by the unknown group (23.1%). The main risk factors for Hospital Acquired Infection in this study was birth weight, gestational age, length of NICU stay and presence of invasive modalities. The study found out that Prematurity is the most important risk factor (AOR 71.9 95% CI 4.7-1097.5). The Mortality rate from nosocomial infecions was found to be 28.2%. Conclusion and recommendation: the rate of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in the analyzed department is high. There is a necessity to establish of various kinds prevention of healthcare-associated infecions in neonates, especially those born preterm. Keywords: nosocomial, neonatal intensive care unit, preterm, prematurity, invasive device, health care associated infection, gestational age