Factors Sequelae of Puerperal Sepsis among Women Delivered at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital

ABSTRACT 

Puerperal sepsis, defined as infection of the genital tract occurring at any time between the rupture of membranes or the onset of labour, and the 42nd day postpartum is still a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite diagnosis, medical management and antimicrobial therapy for sepsis having significantly advanced, puerperal sepsis remains an important cause of maternal mortality accounting for 10.7% of all maternal deaths annually worldwide. In developing countries, most of the risk factors for development of puerperal sepsis exist and cases of puerperal sepsis have been reported. Adverse outcomes ranging from prolonged length of hospital stay to death do occur. Information about this matter is scarce in Fort-portal and thus this study was about the prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of puerperal sepsis in women delivered at FPRRH. A prospective study design was employed that was based chiefly on record review and case follow-up and that involved 284 women in puerperium at FPRRH. The prevalence of puerperal sepsis was 2.47% with Caesarean Section, PROM, primiparity and comorbid conditions such as HIV/AIDS, DM and anaemia being significant contributors whereas obesity was not significant. Full recovery, PID and mastitis with prolongation of duration of hospital stay were the significant outcomes.

Table of Contents

DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................v

APPROVAL ............................................................................................................................. vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT........................................................................................................ vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................. viii

LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. ix

LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................x

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................. xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................1

1.0. BACKGROUND..............................................................................................................1

1.1. PROBLEM STATEMENT...............................................................................................2

1.2. STUDY OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................2

1.2.1. BROAD OBJECTIVE ..................................................................................................2

1.2.2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES..................................................................................................2

1.3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS ..................................................................................................3

1.4. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY..................................................................................3

1.5. STUDY SCOPE...............................................................................................................4

1.5.1. GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE...........................................................................................4

1.5.2. CONTENT SCOPE.......................................................................................................4

1.5.3. TIME SCOPE...............................................................................................................4

1.6. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK .....................................................................................4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW...............................................................................6

2.0. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................6

2.1. PREVALENCE OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS..........................................................................6

2.2. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PUERPERAL SEPSIS ...................................................7

2.3. SEQUELAE OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS...............................................................................8

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................9

3.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................9

3.1. STUDY DESIGN.................................................................................................................9

3.2. STUDY POPULATION.......................................................................................................9

3.2.1. INCLUSION CRITERIA ..................................................................................................9

3.2.2. EXCLUSION CRITERIA .................................................................................................9

3.3. SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION....................................................................................9

3.4. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE..................................................................................................9

3.5. DATA COLLECTION METHOD........................................................................................9

3.6. DATA COLLECTION TOOLS AND PROCEDURE ........................................................10

3.7. QUALITY CONTROL.......................................................................................................10

3.8. DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................10

3.9. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................10

CHAPTER FOUR: STUDY FINDINGS...................................................................................11

4.0. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................11

4.1. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS ................................11

4.1.1. Age of Respondents (N=284) ..........................................................................................11

4.1.2. Marital Status of Respondents (N=284)...........................................................................11

4.2.3. Religion of Respondents (N=284)....................................................................................12

4.2. PREVALENCE OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS........................................................................12

4.3. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PUEPERAL SEPSIS....................................................12

4.3.1. Mode of Delivery and Puerperal Sepsis (N=7).................................................................12

4.3.2. Underlying Comorbid Conditions and Puerperal Sepsis...................................................13

4.3.3. Parity/Gravidity and Puerperal Sepsis..............................................................................13

4.4. OUTCOMES / SEQUALAE OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS AMONG RESPONDENTS (N=7) ........................................................................14

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS................15

5.0. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................15

5.1. DISCUSSION OF STUDY FINDINGS..............................................................................15

5.1.1. PREVALENCE OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS.....................................................................15

5.1.2. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PUERPERAL SEPSIS...............................................15

5.1.3. OUTCOMES OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS.........................................................................15

5.2. CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................16

5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................................16

REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................17

APPENDICES ..........................................................................................................................19

APPENDIX ONE: CONSENT FORM......................................................................................19

APPENDIX TWO: DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT .....................................................20

APPENDIX THREE: BMI REFERENCE CHART...................................................................22

APPENDIX FOUR: MAP OF UGANDA SHOWING THE LOCATION OF KABAROLE

DISTRICT WHERE FPRRH IS FOUND (RED STAR & RED INSET) ...................................23

APPENDIX FIVE: APPROVAL LETTER TO CONDUCT STUDY........................................24