Determinants of puerperal sepsis among mothers who give birth at Jigjiga public hospitals, Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

Introduction: Puerperal sepsis is a significant public health concern in low-resource settings, including Ethiopia, where it is a major contributor to maternal mortality, accounting for 13% of maternal deaths. We investigated the determinants of puerperal sepsis among mothers who give birth at Jigjiga Public Hospitals, Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based unmatched case-control design was employed, with a sample size of 227 (76 cases and 151 controls). The study was conducted at two public hospitals in Jigjiga, Eastern Ethiopia, from January 2022 to December 2022. Data was collected using a standardized structured questionnaire and medical record review. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of puerperal sepsis. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of the mothers was 30.2±10.2 years for cases and 31.5±6.7 years for controls. The results showed that not attending antenatal care regularly (aOR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.483-6.940), having fewer antenatal care follow-ups (aOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.608-6.589), membranes rupturing for less than 24 hours (aOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.933-11.028), and having fewer pelvic examinations (aOR: 12.1, 95% CI: 2.873-19.131) were determinants of puerperal sepsis. Conclusion: The study found that several factors were associated with puerperal sepsis, including irregular antenatal care attendance, fewer antenatal follow-ups, delayed membrane rupture, and fewer pelvic examinations. To address this issue, healthcare providers and policymakers should prioritize improving access to quality antenatal care, empowering mothers through education and enhancing maternal education, and implementing evidence-based guidelines for managing obstetric complications.