Frequency, Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes Among Patients with Sepsis in the Emergency Department: A Single-Centre Prospective Study in Somalia

Background Sepsis is a serious condition associated with significant morbidity and death, especially in resource-limited settings. In Somalia, data on the incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of sepsis is limited. This study sought to delineate the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of sepsis in patients admitted to a tertiary hospital emergency department. Methods A prospective descriptive study was performed at the Mogadishu Somalia Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital from June 2024 to February 2025. Individuals of all ages with suspected or confirmed sepsis, as defined by Sepsis-3 criteria, were included. Demographic data, comorbidities, clinical presentations, laboratory results, management strategies, and in-hospital outcomes were gathered and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A total of 169 patients were enrolled (mean age 45.6 years; 58% male). The predominant causes of infection were soft tissue (26%), pulmonary (21.9%), and urinary tract infections (16.6%). Comorbidities were observed in 49.1% of patients, with diabetes (20.7%) and hypertension (15.4%) being the most prevalent. Clinical observations comprised fever (79%), tachycardia (82.8%), hypotension (36.1%), hypoxia (40.2%), and altered awareness (42%). Laboratory findings indicated multi-organ involvement, comprising renal impairment (43.2%), hepatic dysfunction, leukocytosis (72.8%), and increased procalcitonin levels (55.1%). The overall in-hospital death rate was 30.2%, with risk factors comprising advanced age, comorbidities, hypotension, hypoxia, and multi-organ failure. Conclusion Sepsis in Somalia is linked to significant morbidity and mortality, worsened by delayed presentation, comorbidities, and insufficient critical care resources. Enhancing early detection, timely antibiotic treatment, and increasing inpatient and ICU capacity are crucial. These findings underscore the pressing necessity for context-specific sepsis protocols and resource-appropriate care options in low-income environments.