Effect of Vaginal Cleansing with Povidone Iodine Solution before Cesarean Section on Postoperative Endometritis Infection

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing Beni-sueif University

2 Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty of Medicine - Beni suef university

3 Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing Helwan University

Abstract

Background: Cesarean section (CS) continues to be the surgical intervention most often
performed in obstetrics, with a daily increasing frequency of use. The risk for all postpartum
infections is increased in CS compared to vaginal delivery. Infectious complications developing
in the aftermath of CS are one of the main causes of maternal morbidity. So, the aim of this study
was to investigate the effect of vaginal cleansing with Povidone Iodine solution before cesarean
section on postoperative Endometritis Infection . Design: A quasi- experimental design was
utilized in this study. Setting: This study was conducted at the operating room of Obstetrics and
Gynecologic Department in Beni-Seuf University Hospital from the period of May 2019 until
August 2019. The study Subjects included 200 pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean
delivery, who were selected by purposive sampling technique. then divided into control and study
group 100 per each group. The study group receive vaginal cleansing before cesarean section by
antiseptic iodine solution 10% and standard abdominal scrub. Control group receive standard
abdominal scrub only. Tools was used of data collection included; 1st tool: Structured interview
questionnaire was designed by the researchers and included demographic characteristics and data
related to the participants’ clinical profile 2nd tool: Postpartum follow-up checklist to assess
presence or absence of the post CS infectious morbidity such as; endometritis (lower abdomen
pain and a smelly vaginal discharge), febrile morbidity, and incisional site infection.3rd tool:
Numericаl rating scale (NRЅ). Study results: Shows there was statistically significant
difference regards fever and a smelly vaginal discharge among both groups, while there was no
statistically significant difference was found regards wound infection and lower abdomen pain.
Conclusion: Preoperative vaginal cleansing using antiseptic iodine solution 10% was an effective
practice for reducing post cesarean endometritis where overall post cesarean infectious morbidity
rate was lower among study group compared to control those exposed to routine care alone;
supporting the study hypothesis. Recommendations: Physicians and Nurses should be used
antiseptic povidone-Iodine 10% or vaginal cleaning as regular practice before cesarean deliveries.
Apply vaginal preparation with anti septic solution before C.S operation for high risk group for
infection as premature rupture of membranes, diabetes, and anemia.

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