SVOA Paediatrics

Yibeltal Liben¹, Senay Zerihun^2*, Amsalu Birara³, Wubetu Woyraw⁴, Nahom Mulugeta⁵, Berhanu Tarekegn⁶, Bereket Sinshaw⁷

¹Department of Pediatrics, Debre Birhan University, Ethiopia.

²Department of Pediatrics, Bahirdar University, Ethiopia.

³Department of Public Health, Bahirdar University, Ethiopia.

⁴Department of Human Nutrition, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia.

⁵Department of Pediatrics, Zewditu Hospital, Ethiopia.

⁶Department of Internal Medicine, Bahirdar University, Ethiopia.

⁷Department of Internal Medicine, Yehulshet Neurology Center, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Senay Zerihun (MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics & Child Health), Department of pediatrics, Bahirdar University, Ethiopia.

https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAPD.2025.04.004

Received: February 24, 2025

Published: March 18, 2025

Citation: Liben Y, Zerihun S, Birara A, Woyraw W, Mulugeta N, Tarekegn B, Sinshaw B. Incidence And Risk Factors of Hospital-Acquired Infections in Pediatrics Patients at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia, 2022; Prospective Follow-Up Study. SVOA Paediatrics 2025, 4:2, 17-29. doi: 10.58624SVOAPD.2025.04.004

Abstract

Background: Hospital-acquired infections are a global issue that impacts both developed and resource-poor countries. Some patients are particularly vulnerable due to the severity of their illness, potential immunosuppression, and the requirement for invasive monitoring and life support equipment. Understanding the incidence and risk factors of hospital-acquired infections in pediatric patients is crucial for developing tailored prevention strategies and improving patient outcomes in Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with hospital-acquired infections in pediatric patients admitted to Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital in 2022.

Methods: A hospital-based prospective follow-up study was conducted at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital from May 1 to August 1, 2022. The study included pediatric patients from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and General Ward. Data was collected using a structured checklist and analyzed using statistical software. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were computed to assess the association between variables.

Result: In this study, a total of 591 pediatric patients were observed over a period of 5,805 patient days. The median age of the patients was 1.8 months. The incidence rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) was found to be 17.4 per 1,000 pediatric days of follow-up. The overall cumulative incidence of HAIs over a three-month period was 17.1%. Several risk factors for HAIs were identified. Children who stayed in the hospital for more than eight days had a significantly higher risk of developing HAIs (AOR: 28.1, 95% CI 9.71-81.38). Additionally, children with underlying disease conditions were found to have a higher risk (AOR: 4.93, 95% CI 2.44 to 9.97), as well as those with invasive medical devices (AOR= 9.4, 95% CI: 5.04-17.68). Among the hospital-acquired infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia was the most common type observed. The most frequently identified etiologic agents responsible for these infections were CONS and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these risk factors in order to prevent and control HAIs in pediatric patients.

Conclusion: The cumulative incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) was 17.1% among admitted children. Factors such as longer hospital stays, underlying health conditions, and the presence of invasive medical devices were associated with a higher risk of HAIs. To prevent and control HAIs, hospital management and clinicians should prioritize patients with underlying chronic medical conditions.

Keywords: Hospital Acquired Infection, Healthcare Associated Infection, Pediatrics