Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sepsis Among Women of Reproductive Age in Bauchi Metropolis
Keywords:
Keywords: Sepsis, Women of Reproductive age, Risk FactorsAbstract
Background: Sepsis among women of reproductive age is a significant public health concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization, puerperal sepsis, a type of sepsis that occurs in postpartum women, is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Puerperal sepsis accounts for approximately 10.7% of maternal deaths globally. The prevalence of puerperal sepsis varies across regions, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the highest burden. While specific data on sepsis prevalence among women of reproductive age in Nigeria is limited, studies suggest that puerperal sepsis is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in the country. The aim of this study, is to Assess the prevalence and risk factors of sepsis among women of reproductive age in Bauchi Metropolis
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional community-based design was adopted. The study population comprised 854 women aged 15–49 years residing in three strategically selected communities within Bauchi Metropolis. Trained research assistants administered the questionnaires through face-to-face interviews to ensure accuracy and completeness of responses. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results:: The age distribution of respondents indicated that the majority (46.4%) were between 25–34 years. Most respondents were married (75.1%), while 13.4% were single. Regarding prevalence, 18.2% of respondents reported a prior clinical diagnosis of sepsis, while 24.4% experienced at least one sepsis-related symptom within the six months preceding the study. Among those who reported symptoms, fever was the most common (82.4%), followed by abdominal pain (68.6%), vaginal discharge (66.7%), and chills (43.1%). The most frequently reported obstetric risk factor was caesarean section (34.0%), followed by prolonged labor (28.2%), instrumental delivery such as forceps or vacuum extraction (17.7%), poor wound care (15.8%), and retained products of conception (12.0%). These findings suggest gaps in postnatal follow-up and inadequate postpartum care practices. Chi-square analysis revealed statistically significant associations between puerperal sepsis and three demographic variables: level of education (p = 0.010), occupation (p = 0.020), and place of residence (p = 0.016), at the 0.05 level of significance.
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