DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2026.v14i06.019

Pages: 986-993

Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is a hospital-acquired infection occurring within 30 days of surgery or within 90 days after implant placement. It is a major global public health concern, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and prolonged hospital stays. Rising antibiotic resistance has further complicated its management. Objectives: To determine the incidence of Surgical Site Infections and identify associated risk factors among patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from September 2024 to May 2025 in the Department of Surgery, Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. A total of 230 patients undergoing elective and emergency surgeries were enrolled and followed from admission up to 30 days postoperatively. Wounds were examined regularly to detect SSIs and assess related risk factors. Result: Among 230 patients, 165 (71.74%) were male and 65 (28.26%) were female. The most common age group was 51–60 years (35.65%). Elective surgeries accounted for 194 (84.35%) cases and emergency surgeries for 36 (15.65%). The overall SSI rate was 16.9% (39 cases), with higher incidence in emergency surgeries (33%) than elective surgeries (13.91%). Patients without antibiotic prophylaxis had a 4.4-fold higher risk of developing SSI. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (44.44%), while Escherichia coli predominated in abdominal surgeries. Conclusion: SSI significantly increases morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Major risk factors include pre-existing infections, low serum albumin, extreme age, obesity, smoking, comorbidities, prolonged surgery duration, and inadequate surgical preparation and tissue handling. Appropriate preventive measures, including antibiotic prophylaxis, are essential to reduce SSI incidence.