Incidence and predictors of peripheral intravenous cannula complications among pediatric patients in public hospitals of Gurage zone, Ethiopia: a multicenter prospective cohort study

Peripheral intravenous cannulas are used for administration of medications and fluids in sick children but their use can result in complications. The main aim of this study was to determine the incidence of complications and predictors with peripheral intravenous cannula use in Pediatric patients admitted in public hospitals of the Gurage zone, Ethiopia. A prospective, observational, cohort study design was conducted among 378 admitted children in public hospitals in the Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected by structured questionnaires and observations. The data was coded and entered to EPI-DATA version 3.1 and exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable analysis was used by using Cox proportional hazard model. Finally, the variables that have a p-value of < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) from the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. The density incidence of peripheral intravenous cannula complication was 10.30 per1000 person/time with a 95% confidence interval (8.95–11.87) per 1000-person time. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that nurses with < 2 years peripheral cannula insertion experience [AHR = 1.88; 95% CI (1.22–2.91)], fluid administration [AHR = 1.89; 95% CI (1.36–2.62)] and critical health status [AHR = 1.17; 95% CI (1.09–3.08)] were the predicators of peripheral intravenous cannula complication. The incidence of peripheral intravenous cannula complications was higher in hospitalized children and healthcare-related factors and medication-related factors were the predictors of the incidence of peripheral intravenous cannula complications. Health professionals working in the child care hospital should strictly apply aseptic techniques for peripheral intravenous cannula insertion and manage the complications accordingly.