Background Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common healthcare-associated infections and associated with prolonged hospital stays, additional financial burden, and significantly hamper the potential benefits of surgical interventions. Causes of SSIs are multi-factorials and patients undergoing gastrointestinal tract procedures carry a high risk of bacterial contamination. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, associated factors, and causing microorganisms of SSIs among patients undergoing gastrointestinal tract surgeries. Methods A hospital based, cross-sectional study conducted at Soba University Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. We included all patients from all age groups attending the gastrointestinal tract surgical unit between 1st September and 31st December 2017. We collected data about the socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors of SSI, and isolated microorganisms from patients with SSIs. A Chi-square test was conducted to determine the relationship between the independent categorical variables and the occurrence of SSI. The significance level for all analyses was set at p < .05. Results A total of 80 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 51 +/- 16 years and most of the patients (67.5%) did not have any chronic illness prior to the surgical operation. Most of them (46.3%) of them underwent large bowel surgery. Twenty-two patients (27.5%) developed SSI post operatively and superficial SSI was the most common type of SSIs (81.8%). Occurrence of SSI was found to be associated with long operation time (p > .001), malignant nature of the disease (p > .001), intra-operative blood loss (p > .001), and intra-operative hypotension (p = .013). The most prevalent microorganism isolated from SSI patients was E coli (47.8%), followed by Enterococcus fecalis (13.0%) and combined Pseudomonas aeruginosa + E coli infection (13.0%). Conclusions The results showed a high prevalence of SSIs among patients attending the gastrointestinal tract surgical unit and the most prevalent microorganism isolated from them was E coli. Measures should be taken to reduce the magnitude of SSI by mitigating the identified associated factors.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common healthcare-associated infections and associated with prolonged hospital stays, additional financial burden, and significantly hamper the potential benefits of surgical interventions. Causes of SSIs are multi-factorials and patients undergoing gastrointestinal tract (GIT) procedures carry a high risk of bacterial contamination. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, associated factors, and causing microorganisms of SSIs among patients undergoing GIT surgeries.Methods: A hospital based, cross-sectional study conducted at Soba University Hospital (SUH) in Khartoum, Sudan. We included all patients from all age groups attending the GIT surgical unit at SUH between September-December 2017. We collected data about the socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors of SSI, and isolated microorganisms from patients with SSIs. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A Chi-square test was conducted to determine the relationship between the independent categorical variables and the occurrence of SSI. The significance level for all analyses was set at p < .05.Results: A total of 80 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 51 +/- 16 years and most of the patients (67.5%) did not have any chronic illness prior to the surgical operation. Most of them (46.3%) of them underwent large bowel surgery. Twenty-two patients (27.5%) developed SSI post operatively and superficial SSI was the most common type of SSIs (81.8%). Occurrence of SSI was found to be associated with long operation time (p > .001), malignant nature of the disease (p > .001), intra-operative blood loss (p > .001), and intra-operative hypotension (p =.013). The most prevalent microorganism isolated from SSI patients was E coli (47.8%), followed by Enterococcus fecalis (13.0%) and combined Pseudomonas aeruginosa + E coli infection (13.0%).Conclusion: The results showed a high prevalence of SSIs among patients attending the GIT unit in SUH and the most prevalent microorganism isolated from them was E coli. Measures should be taken to reduce the magnitude of SSI by mitigating the identified associated factors.

Background Trachoma is a common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Although it has largely now disappeared from developed countries, it is still endemic in many developing countries. We aimed to highlight clinical stages and common related socio-demographic and household characteristics among patients with trachoma in Sudan. Methods A hospital-based case series descriptive study was conducted at Makah Eye Complex and Abdalfadeel-Almaz hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. We included all Trachoma patients from all age groups attending the two eye care hospitals in the period from 1st to 31st March 2015. Data was collected through clinical examination, hospital records, and face to face interview using a structured questionnaire, Also, we conducted a review of the literature to highlights the epidemiological aspect of trachoma in Sudan, using the databases of MEDLINE (PubMed) and Google Scholar. Results In this case series, we identified 125 patients with trachoma in the study period. Most of them were aged more than 50 years old (78.4%). Half of the participants (56%) were positive for active trachoma, 40.8% of them were having Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT), and 56% of them have Trachoma Follicles (TF). Majority of the patients have low socioeconomic status and poor personal and environmental hygiene (88%), (44%) and (74.4%), respectively. Conclusion Low socioeconomic status and poor personal and environmental hygiene are common socio-demographic and household characteristics among patients with trachoma. Despite the progress that has been made towards disease elimination, trachoma is still a public health problem in Sudan. Our review highlights the magnitude of trachoma and the progress towards its elimination in Sudan.

Background Trachoma is a common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Although it has largely now disappeared from developed countries, it is still endemic in many developing countries. We aimed to highlight clinical stages and common related socio-demographic and household characteristics among patients with trachoma in Sudan. Methods A hospital-based case series descriptive study was conducted at Makah Eye Complex and Abdalfadeel-Almaz hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. We included all Trachoma patients from all age groups attending the two eye care hospitals in the period from 1st to 31st March 2015. Data was collected through clinical examination, hospital records, and face to face interview using a structured questionnaire, Also, we conducted a review of the literature to highlights the epidemiological aspect of trachoma in Sudan, using the databases of MEDLINE (PubMed) and Google Scholar. Results In this case series, we identified 125 patients with trachoma in the study period. Most of them were aged more than 50 years old (78.4%). Half of the participants (56%) were positive for active trachoma, 40.8% of them were having Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT), and 56% of them have Trachoma Follicles (TF). Majority of the patients have low socioeconomic status and poor personal and environmental hygiene (88%), (44%) and (74.4%), respectively. Conclusion Low socioeconomic status and poor personal and environmental hygiene are common socio-demographic and household characteristics among patients with trachoma. Despite the progress that has been made towards disease elimination, trachoma is still a public health problem in Sudan. Our review highlights the magnitude of trachoma and the progress towards its elimination in Sudan.