Abstract: Background: Infectious morbidity is one of the commonest cause, contributing to almost 15% of maternal mortality. Vaginal cleansing with 1% chlorhexidine solution before C section can be an economical and affordable source of infection control.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of vaginal chlorhexidene cleansing before C-section and its role in reduction of postpartum genital tract infections.
Objective: To include 1% chlorhexidine cleansing as a routine procedure pre-operatively in all C-sections.
Methods: 50 AN patients taken for C- section during the study period(01.12.2020 to 06.06.2021) in TSRMMCH&RC were divided into two groups A and B. Group A –taken as control group was given the routine pre-operative skin preparation,medications and prophylactic antibiotics. Group –B was the interventional group in which patients in addition were given vaginal cleansing with0.5% chlorhexidene for 30 seconds before and after catheterisation with 2 separate swab sticks.
Inclusion Criteria: 1) All women undergoing C section. 2) Those who give willingness to participate in study and for follow up till 2 weeks postpartum.
Exclusion Criteria: 1) Patients with H/O sensitivity to chlorhexidine 2) H/o skin infection /genital infection.
Results: The statistical analysis was done with the software-SPSS version 16. The following observations were taken for analysis- 1) post-partum fever 2) foul smelling lochia 3) Induration or infection at the incision site 4) need for prolonged antibiotics and prolonged hospital stay.
Conclusion: Chlorhexidene swab cleansing before C section was found to reduce post-partum endometritis in C-section patients and can be included as a cost-effective and an efficient infection control method.
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