Factors Influencing and the Effect of Puerperal Sepsis among Postnatal Women in Vom Christian Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite all efforts made by WHO to reduce the incidence of Puerperal sepsis globally, it remains the third most common cause of death following childbirth or miscarriage accounting for 15% of 50,000 maternal lives lost annually. It usually occurs within 10 days – 6 weeks postpartum following delivery. The most common infection is that of the uterus and surrounding tissues. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing and effects of puerperal sepsis among postnatal women in Vom Christian Hospital. Non-probability sampling technique using convenient methods of sampling and sample size was determined through the Taro Yamani formula where 80 women were recruited into the study and questionnaires administered for data collection with 100% retrieval rate and analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. This study revealed high rates of respondents agreeing that anaemia (75%) followed by early cesarean section (62.5%) and delay in seeking healthcare (62.5%) with (56.3%) multiply vaginal examination as factors swaying puerperal sepsis infections in women. 75% respondents agreed that puerperal sepsis causes both painful inflammation of breast and pain while urinating, with 81.3% cause by vaginal discharge as the common effect of puerperal sepsis in most women while majority (81.3%) of the respondents revealed that poor vagina hygiene causes infection where endogenous infectious agents are mostly harboured. Puerperal sepsis is a deadly disease among women, our finding showed that most of the postnatal women had knowledge about puerperal sepsis and its factors, hence, preventive measures and women personal hygiene during antenatal visits be emphasized. Thus, healthcare givers should follow aseptic technique to prevent puerperal sepsis infections among women during delivery.