Electrolyte Imbalance and Associated Factors among Patients in Intensive Care Units of Public Hospitals, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Electrolytes are substances that are electrically charged and help our body do much of its work. In Ethiopian hospitals, most electrolyte test results showed a change in at least one of the electrolytes. Electrolyte imbalances in the intensive care unit interfere with the main goal of intensive care and result in adverse patient outcomes like the risk of nosocomial infection, dissatisfaction, morbidity, and mortality. Despite this, little is known about the level of electrolyte imbalance and factors associated with patients who are on intensive care in Ethiopia's context. Objective: To assess the electrolyte imbalance and associated factors among patients in intensive care units of public hospitals in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Bahir Dar Public Hospital intensive care unit with 404 study participants selected using systematic random sampling. A pretested, structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were collected using Kobo Toolbox, downloaded, and exported to SPSS version 26 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed. Bivariable binary binlogistic regression analysis was carried out, and variables with a p-value less than 0.25 were entered into multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Variables with a P value less than 0.05 in the final model were considered statistically significant. The result was presented using text, tables, and graphs. Result: 401study participated with a response rate of 99.3%. The prevalence of electrolyte imbalance among patients in intensive care units in this study was 83.8% (95% CI: 80, 87.5). Patients who took diuretics (AOR: 4.532; 95 CI: 1.971, 10.42), Vasoactive (AOR: 5.989; 95 CI: 1.253, 28.61), normal saline (AOR: 2.956; 95% CI: 1.424, 6.137), and Ringer’s lactate (AOR: 4.192; 95% CI: 1.452, 12.109) were significantly associated with electrolyte imbalance in the in the intensive care unit patients. Conclusion: This study found that 83.7% patients in intensive care unit has electrolyte imbalance. Medication and fluids like diuretics, vasoactive, normal saline, and Ringer’s lactate showed a statistically significant association with electrolyte imbalances in the intensive care unit patients. Keywords: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, electrolyte imbalance ,intensive care unit.