Risk Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Neonatal Infections in a Peruvian Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Health care-associated infection in neonates is a problem that occurs in neonatal intensive care units, due to the presence of an infectious agent.

Objective: To evaluate the association between risk factors and the prevalence of neonatal infections in a Peruvian hospital.

Methods: A quantitative study was carried out, with a descriptive correlational design, in the neonatology service of a public hospital, Peru, 2022. The sample population consisted of 715 epidemiological surveillance records. The observation technique was used, with a data collection sheet as an instrument. Pearson's chi-square test was applied.

Results: In intrinsic factors, 55.52% of neonates were male, 50.35% had full-term gestational age and 53.43% were born with adequate weight. In extrinsic factors, 76.36% had a peripheral venous catheter, 82.66% had mixed breastfeeding, 66.43% had a non-prolonged hospital stay, 56.92% did not receive phototherapy, 12 beds (35.25%) were occupied per month in the intermediate area and 15 beds (34.69%) in the intensive care unit. The chi-square test demonstrated a significant association (p<0.05) between risk factors and the prevalence of neonatal infection.

Conclusions: There is a significant association between the prevalence of neonatal infection and the intrinsic factors gestational age and weight, as well as with the extrinsic factors medical devices, type of diet and hospital stay.