Prevalence of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Neonates in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a serious problem which needs to be addressed for a better outcome of the ventilated babies. The present study is undertaken to find out the prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates in a tertiary care hospital in western Nepal.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in the western region of Nepal from March 2016 to February 2019 after approval from the Institutional review committee. Sample size was calculated and convenience sampling was done to reach the sample size. Data were collected from hospital records and entered in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data.

RESULTS: Out of 95 patients ventilated in neonatal intensive care unit in the last 3 years, 23 (24.01%) developed ventilator-associated pneumonia. Prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia is 23 (24.01%) at 95% (14%-34%). Late onset ventilator associated pneumonia was seen in 15 (15.78%) while early onset ventilator associated pneumonia was seen in 8 (8.42%).

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of ventilator associated pneumonia in neonates in tertiary care hospital is high compared to other studies conducted in neonates.