Journal of World Health Research
Sepsis among postpartum mothers aged 15-35 years admitted to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. A cross-sectional study
By Johnmary Ssuna, Jimmy Okwanyi, Hasifa Nansereko and 3 others.
Abstract
Background
Postpartum (puerperal) sepsis is a life-threatening infection of the genital tract occurring between childbirth and 42 days postpartum. This study assesses the factors contributing to sepsis among postpartum mothers aged 15-35 years at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out to collect data through quantitative approaches to capture complementary data of the topic at a given point of time without a follow up of 50 participants using convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized, structured interviewer-administered questionnaires following informed consent.
Results
Findings showed that the majority of the participants, 26(52%), were aged between 20-25 years, while the least common age group was 30-35 years, 4(8%). Socio-economically, the most affected mothers are those living in rural areas, with over 50% travelling long distances to find the hospital for help and antenatal care. Moreover, (84%) use boda-boda as their primary means of traveling to health facilities, while (56%) have their husbands as their primary decision-makers regarding their health care seeking. Further, the majority of the group 40(80%) had an emergency cesarean, and 30(60%) reported to have waited between 30 minutes to 2hours to be seen by a health care provider upon arrival at the hospital.