Title: A Study to Assess the Incidence and Risk factors of Surgical Site Infection following Caesarean Section in a Selected Hospital of Odisha. Background :  Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common postoperative complication, constituting a major public health problem in terms of mortality; morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and increased antimicrobial resistance due to the inappropriate use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Factors which affect post-caesarean section SSI rate include the maternal pre- perative medical and obstetric conditions, the type of surgical procedure, and the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis. Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the incidence and associated risk factors of surgical site infection among caesarean section cases. Method : A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken in a tertiary teaching hospital (SUM hospital), Odisha, India. Total 546 Women were included in the study, who underwent surgical procedure for delivery during study period. Wound was evaluated for the development of SSI on third day, and fifth post-operative day, and on the day of discharge. Results :The mean age of the women was 26±3.08. Among the studied cases 87.17% were literate and 12.82% were illiterate. Maximum (77.10%) women were housewife and primpara (59.70). Antenatal clinic was attended by 78.02%. The most common indications for caesarean delivery observed were cephalopelvic disproportion (25.82%), malpresentation (18.86%) and fetal distress (16.84%). The incidence rate of surgical site infection (SSI) was 62 (11.35%). SSI was found to be common in women who underwent emergency surgery, rupture of membrane before surgery, who had frequent vaginal examination and prolonged labour, statistically significant (p<0.05). Also women who had vertical skin incision and interrupted skin suturing (p<0.01) during surgery had develop more SSI. Conclusion: SSI is found to be multi-factorial and various modifiable risk factors were observed in this study. Formation of hospital protocol and its strict implementation by all the health care professionals could be effective to minimize and prevent the infection rate after caesarean section.  

Key Words: Caesarean section, SSI, modifiable risk factors, maternal infection,