Factors and Causes of Puerperal Sepsis in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: A Descriptive Study among Postnatal Women who Attended Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre.

BACKGROUND

Puerperal sepsis is the major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. About 94% of maternal mortality occur in low and middle-income countries including Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence, document factors and causes of puerperal sepsis among postnatal women who attended postnatal care in Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Hospital in the year 2015.

METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania. A total of 183 medical records of attendance in 2015 were used for the study. Information about the isolated organism in culture was retrieved from the Laboratory Information System.

RESULTS

The prevalence of puerperal sepsis was 11.5% (21/183). The most common factors and causes of puerperal sepsis included caesarean section 66.7% (14/21), postpartum haemorrhage 57.1% (12/21), moderate to severe anaemia 61.9% (13/21), prolonged labour 76.2% (16/21) and bacterial infection 90.5% (19/21). The difference was significant at p<.05. The most bacteria species isolated among women with puerperal sepsis was Staphylococcus spp 50.0% (7/14), Escherichia 28.6% (4/14) and Streptococcus spp 21.4% (3/14).

CONCLUSION

Puerperal sepsis is prevalent (11.5%) at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Staphylococcus spp was found to be a predominant isolate which causes puerperal sepsis followed by E. coli and Streptococcus spp.