Abstract

Background: A Nosocomial infection is an infection which was not present or was in the incubation period at the time the patient is admitted to the hospital, but occurs within 72 hours after admission. They are potentially caused by organisms that are resistant to antibiotics. Highest prevalence of nosocomial infections is found in intensive care units and also it is one of the leading causes of death in intensive care units. Aims: To describe the prevalence of nosocomial infections and describe the types and distribution of associated factors of nosocomial infections in the intensive care setting of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Colombo North Teaching Hospital for one year duration from August 2015. Patients who did not have fever spikes 48 hours before the admission were included. Systematic random sampling technique was applied. Data collection was done by using an Interviewer Administered questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 23.0 statistical software. 95% confidence interval was taken for statistical significance. Results: Prevalence of nosocomial infections in the study sample was 41.58% (N= 42). This male predominant study sample (51.6%), showed a normal distribution of age which ranged from 9 years to 83 years (Mean=51.17: SD=17.98). Acquiring infections did not depend on the sex of the patient. (OR=0.767; 95% CI=0.347-1.695). Mechanical ventilation was identified as a risk factor for acquiring nosocomial infections (OR=1.97; 95 CI%= 0.847-4.58). Using dedicated instruments was identified as a protective measure for nosocomial infections (OR=0.903:95%: CI=0.409-1.994). Risks identified for acquiring nosocomial infections include age above 50 years (OR=1.947:95%: CI=0.838- 4.42) and more than three days stay at the intensive care unit (OR=1.335:95%: CI=0.82- 2.173). Conclusion: Except using dedicated instruments all the associated factors considered in the study were identified as risk factors for nosocomial infections. Using dedicated instruments was recognized as a protective factor for nosocomial infections. Duration of intensive care unit stay and the treatment procedures directly affected the spreading of nosocomial infections. As morbidity and mortality trends of the patients are remarkably increased with nosocomial infections, it is essential to suppress the associated factors and minimize the spread of nosocomial infections.