(P-IG-8) Association Between Whole Blood Transfusion and Surgical Site Infection among Surgical Patients Admitted at Eka Kotebe General Hospital; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background/Case Studies: Blood transfusion is a lifesaving practice, and it is the most common in surgical patients especially those who sustained trauma. Perioperative blood transfusion may predispose patients to infections or complications due to its unwanted effects onto immune system. Several associated factors are responsible for the existence of surgical site infections. the Impact of blood transfusion on surgical site infection is controversial, whereas several studies suggest that blood transfusion is the cause of surgical site infection.

Study

Design/Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional

Results/Findings: A total of 236 participants were involved in this study. The magnitude of surgical site infection among the study population was found to be 9.3% (95% CI 5.9 - 13.8). Among the study population, 79 (33.5%) had blood transfusion, and of those who had surgical site infection were 13 (5.8%). At the 95% CI level, the following factors showed statically significant association with surgical site infection: Blood transfusion (AOR= 4.48, CI 1.28-15.63, P= 0.019), history of smoking (AOR= 16.5, CI 4.56-59.64, P=0.000), current ambulation (AOR= 0.04, CI 0.01-0.14, P0.000), prolonged duration of operation (AOR= 38.77, CI  2.60-57.14, P=0.008), and contaminated and dirty type of wound (AOR= 7.41,CI 1.35-40.63, P= 0.021).

Conclusions: The study found that the magnitude of surgical site infections among the study population was higher. Perioperative blood transfusion, history of smoking, prolonged duration of operation, contaminated or dirty wound types and ambulatory status were identified as factors that were significantly associate with surgical site infection.