Prevalence of Salmonella Typhi, its associated factors and antimicrobial susceptibility profile among patients attending Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Salmonella Typhi infections cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Salmonella Typhi, its associated factors and antibiotic susceptibility profile among suspected typhoid patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 typhoid fever suspected patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June 2022 to September 2022. Data were collected using questionnaires by face-to-face interview. Stool samples for microbiological culture, blood samples for S. Typhi IgM/Entero-check WB rapid test and isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility tests were used through standard procedures and according to the reagents manufactures' instructions. Hygiene implementation of patients was also assessed using interview. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patient's were considered. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and logistic regression model analysis was performed to assess associations between S. Typhi infection and the associated sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Results: The prevalence of S. Typhi IgM/Entero-check WB rapid test and stool culture results were 3.3%; (95% CI: 1.5-5.6) and 3.7%; (95% CI: 1.9-6.3) respectively. Not washing hands after latrine [AOR = 0.85, 95% CI (0.15-4.79), p = 0.05] is not significant but, not washing hands before meal [AOR = 0.053, 95% CI (0.08-0.36), p = 0.03], eating raw vegetables [AOR = 0.024, 95% CI (0.001-0.48), p = 0.015] and drinking water from a stream [AOR = 0.12, 95% CI (0.19-0.70), p = 0.001] were significantly associated with S. Typhi infection, but in terms of AOR, all are preventive. Susceptibility of isolates was 9/10 (90%), 8/10 (80%), and 8/10 (80%) to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and chloramphenicol, respectively. The majorities 100% and 80% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole, respectively. About 40% of the isolates were MDR.

Conclusion: The prevalence of Salmonella Typhi with MDR has been observed. Therefore, health programmers and stakeholders should make efforts to improve the habit of sanitation, strengthen the capacity of laboratory diagnostic methods and increase awareness of the misprescription and misuse of antibiotics to reduce the impact of MDR bacteria.