Abstract

Background: Malnutrition may also influence wound healing and the incidence of postoperative surgical- wound infections (SWI).  The present study was conducted to assess the association of post operative wound infection with malnutrition and low socio economic infection.

Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 124 patients treated with different complaints of both genders. Body weight and height were measured postoperatively and BMI was calculated as weight/height². Risk for malnutrition was considered when one of the following indicators appeared; (1) weight loss >10% the last 6 months, (2) decreased food intake, or (3) BMI < 20 (alternatively BMI < 22 for patients more than 70 years old). 

Results: out of 124 patients, males were 68 and females were 56. The difference was non- significant (P- 0.1). BMI < 20 was observed in 56 males and 38 females, weight loss >10% was seen in 45 males and 42 females and serum albumin <35 g/L was seen in 52 males and 40 females. The difference was non- significant (P- 0.5). Socio economic status was low in 34 males and 38 females, middle in 16 males and 10 females and high in 18 males and 8 females. The difference was significant (P- 0.01).

Conclusion: Author concluded that wound infection increases with poor nutrition status. Socio economic status plays an important role in development of complications in wound healing.

Keywords: Malnutrition, Socio- economic, Wound.