Investigating factors associated with puerperal sepsis and its implications in mothers admitted to maternity ward at Mangochi District Hospital
Date
2021-10-08
Authors
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Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study: The study will use mixed approach research methods; qualitative and quantitative
study. It will investigate the associated factors that may predispose to puerperal sepsis and its
implications in mothers admitted to maternity ward at Mangochi District Hospital
Statement of the problem: Puerperal sepsis contributes to 15% % of the maternal deaths that
occur annually globally and contribute to even more maternal deaths in some low income countries
like Malawi. However, puerperal sepsis is preventable if maternal mothers are well taken care of,
hence need to establish associated factors to puerperal sepsis and its implications to mothers in
order to prevent its occurrence and implications.
Objectives: Broad objective: To investigate factors associated with puerperal sepsis and its
implications in mothers admitted to maternity ward at Mangochi District Hospital
Specific objectives:
1. To explore health care factors associated with puerperal Sepsis to mothers admitted to
maternity department at Mangochi District Hospital
2. To determine maternal factors associated with puerperal sepsis at Mangochi District
Hospital: Strategy for optimizing identification of associated factors to puerperal sepsis
3. To assess effects of puerperal sepsis on mothers.
Methodology: The study will use mixed approach research method. This will be quantitative and
qualitative through exploratory and descriptive study to investigate factors associated with
puerperal sepsis. The expected sample size for qualitative data will be taken through Key
Informants Interviews for 15 participants from the health care workers and this will depend on
saturation. Quantitative data will be collected retrospectively from case files of mothers who were
diagnosed with puerperal sepsis and were admitted in maternity ward. The expected sample size
will be determined by the number of case files available. The sample size has been determined
from the total number of files for the target population in the three years which is 440 case files.
Using Raosoft, at 95% CI, sampling error of 5% and response distribution of 50%, the minimum desired sample size is 206 files. Proportionate samples will be taken for each year with the
multiplication factor that was obtained by dividing total number of files in each year by total
number of files for the whole 3 year period as follows: 0.67, 0.15, and 0.18 for 2018/19, 2019/20
and 2020/21 fiscal years respectively giving respective samples of 138, 31 and 37 case files. Using
stratified consecutive sampling technique for each year, files will be selected. This will be done
using medical extract form. The data will be verified and then entered into a Microsoft Excel file
and there-after be imported into STATA Version 14.1 for cleaning and further analysis. For
qualitative data, consistency will be maintained by listening to audio recorded KIIs. The verified
data will be stored in a password protected file in a USB flash disk, computer and will be backedup in an external driver.
Expected findings and dissemination. The research will be conducted on academic requirement
to the award of Master of Science Global Health Implementation. Therefore, some copies will be
submitted for marking at University of Malawi, College of Medicine. The final dissertation
document will be submitted to the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee
(COMREC) and the College of Medicine Library (COM). The Health Science Research
Committee and The University Research and Publication committee through the COMREC
secretariat. Furthermore, the intention of the researcher is to take the results and present to
Mangochi District Council through Mangochi District Executive Committee (DEC) and the copy
will be submitted to the District Health Management Team (DHMT) for Mangochi DHO through
Mangochi Research and Ethics Committee. Recommendations will be made to the stakeholders
and partners through Mangochi DHO on any improvements that might be suggested to improve
the precision of puerperal sepsis.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE