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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Feb 2:41:92.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.92.23687. eCollection 2022.

Effectiveness of preoperative bath using chloroxylenol antiseptic soap on the incidence of post emergency cesarean section surgical site infection at Mbarara Regional Referral hospital, Uganda: a randomized controlled trial

Henry Lukabwe  1 , Rodgers Kajabwangu  1 , Dale Mugisha  1 , Horace Mayengo  1 , Baraka Munyanderu  1 , Asanairi Baluku  1 , Anthony Manyang  1 , Jolly Joe Lapat  1 , Francis Banya  2 , Musa Kayondo  1 , Ronald Mayanja  1 , Joy Muhumuza  1 , Francis Bajunirwe  3 , Joseph Ngonzi  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of preoperative bath using chloroxylenol antiseptic soap on the incidence of post emergency cesarean section surgical site infection at Mbarara Regional Referral hospital, Uganda: a randomized controlled trial

Henry Lukabwe et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) constitute 15%-45% of hospital acquired infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Cesarean section (CS) increases the risk of developing sepsis by 5-20 times and is highest when the operation is emergency. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure the effect of chloroxylenol in reducing the incidence of post cesarean SSIs at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).

Methods: a randomized controlled trial was conducted at MRRH maternity ward and mothers were randomized into either control or intervention arms. The intervention was a complete body bath with chloroxylenol antiseptic soap before the operation, while the control arm participants received a standard ward pre-operative preparation procedures. All participants were followed up for 30 days and assessed using an SSI screening tool.

Results: ninety-six women were randomized, and 48 were assigned to each arm. The overall incidence of SSI was 30.21%. The incidence of SSI was significantly lower in the intervention compared to the control arm (6.25% in the intervention arm versus 54.17% in the control arm) (p-value <0.001). Chloroxylenol bath was protective of SSI with a 90% risk reduction for SSI (95% confidence interval of 67%-97%).

Conclusion: a preoperative bath with chloroxylenol for pregnant mothers is associated with a significantly lower risk of post cesarean section surgical site infections. Health facilities with a high burden of post SSI should consider adding this simple and effective intervention to the existing infection prevention measures. Clinical Trials.gov registration (NCT03544710).

Keywords: Incidence; Mbarara University; Uganda; chloroxylenol; surgical site infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
consort diagram showing the recruitment process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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