Microbiology of Wound Infections and its Associated Risk Factors among Patients of a Tertiary Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

Article history: Received: 2 August 2011 Revised: 12 September 2011 Accepted: 19 October 2011 Available online: 2 November 2011 Background: Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Etiologic agents of wound infections vary with geographical locations. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of wound infections, the effect of age and gender on the prevalence as well as the etiologic agents and their susceptibility to antibacterial agents. Methods: Wound swabs collected from 2061 patients were processed to investigate etiologic agents using standard technique. Disc susceptibility of bacterial agents was determined. Results: The overall prevalence of wound infections was 64.8%. The prevalence of wound infections was not significantly affected by gender but was significantly affected by age (P<0.001). The prevalence of wound infections was minimum among age group of <5 years old (20.0%) and maximum among the age group of 36-40 years old (77.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent etiologic agent (21.5%). β-lactams, fluoroquinolones and gentamicin were the most effective antibacterial agents. Conclusion: The prevalence of wound infections was high and was only affected by age. Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant etiologic agent and βlactam antibiotics are recommended.