The Prevalence of Nosocomial Infections and Associated Risk Factors in Pediatric Patients in Tikur Anbessa Hospital

Abstract

Little is known about nosocomial infections and associated risk factors among children in Ethiopia.
The aim of the study is to generate data on nosocomial infection in children that will serve as a base for
further studies and to develop prevention interventions. A case control study was done on 111 cases and
222 controls from pediatrics wards of Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Aug 2002-Dec 2003. Nosocomial infection
rate was 5 per 100 discharges. A total of 143 nosocomial infections were detected in 111 cases. The
commonest infection was pneumonia 39.8%. Specimen for culture and sensitivity was taken from
63/143(44.1%) infections and organisms were isolated in 43 infections. And 14 different type of bacteria
were found. E coli, klebsiella pneumoniae and pseudomonas species were the most frequently isolated
organisms. The resistance to ampicillin was 91.9% , gentamycin 67.2%, , ceftriaxone 50%, norfloxacin
18.3%, and ciprofloxacin 15.4%. Age less than one year, malnutrition, admission to orthopedics unit,
peripheral intravenous line and prolonged hospitalization were significantly associated with nosocomial
infection. In conclusion surveillance for high risk patients, education of health personnel, proper isolation
technique, hand washing or use of glove and gowns, avoid prolonged hospitalization when possible and
reestablishment of infection control committee are needed for prevention of nosocomial infection. And
antimicrobial therapy should be guided based on drug susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from patients
with nosocomial infection in the hospital