Abstract:
Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are the presence of circulating microorganisms in the
blood which are detected by positive blood culture (BC). Bacteria, which can be acquired in the
community as well as in the hospital, are the principal microorganisms implicated. Although blood
culture is a highly sensitive and specific test for detecting BSIs, a wide range of BC positivity rate
and a number of factors that affect BC results were reported.
Objectives: This study was designed to assess blood culture positivity rate and associated factors
among hospitalized adult medical patients at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized
Hospital (UOGCSH), 2023
Methods: A single centered hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among
hospitalized adult medical patients at UOGCSH from August 2023 to December 2023. The
collected data were coded and entered into EpiData version 4.6 and then transferred to SPSS
version 27 for analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Variables
having p value of <0.2 on binary logistic regression were included in the multivariate analysis.
Results: During the study period from a total of 263 BCs, 228 were included in the analysis. The
mean age of study participants was 41 (±18) and male to female ratio represents 1.26. Overall BC
positivity rate was 18% (41/220). CoNS were the most commonly detected bacteria (n= 27;
11.8%), of which only was considered as clinically significant. True positive pathogens detected
in 6.6% (15/228) of BCs. K. pneumoniae (n=4; 26.7%) followed by E. coli and NLFGNRs (each
n=3; 20%) were the commonly detected etiologies of BSI. Collected blood volume ≥16 ml (p=
0.018), stroke (p= 0.027), and NLCR (p= 0.043) had shown statistically significant associations
with true positive BC results. Not using skin antiseptics during venipuncture (p= 0.013) and febrile
episodes >38.5oC (p= 0.011) were factors associated with BC yield of contaminants.
Conclusion: Although the overall and true BC positivity rates are comparable to most other studies
there is a much higher rate of contamination. This could be a reflection of inappropriate blood
sample collection techniques. High index of suspicion for BSIs should be there for patients with
NLCR ≥12 and those having stroke
