Retrospective Study on the Prevalence of Surgical Wound Infections in Specialist Hospital Sokoto – North West Nigeria

Introduction: Nosocomial surgical site infections remain a key drawback in health care facilities, resulting in extended length of stay, significant morbidity and mortality, elevated excess of cost, and less regular basis of death in the surgical patient.

Aim: The objective of the study is to determine the rate of occurrence of surgical site nosocomial infections in surgical patients in Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: A 2-year retrospective study of nosocomial surgical site infections (June 2011 to May 2013) was carried out in Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria.

Methodology: Patients' folders and microbiology laboratory records were used for the determination of prevalence of nosocomial infections in. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: Result of the retrospective study of surgical site infection in the hospital showed that surgical site nosocomial infections are frequent in the hospital, with a prevalence rate of 4.7% (2011/2012) and 7.6% (2012/2013).

Conclusion: Despite the fact that this study is limited to nosocomial surgical site infections in three surgical wards only, surgical site infection exists as a major problem hospital. The results of this study are consistent with reports of similar studies in Nigeria and other parts of the world.