Incidence of peripheral intravenous cannula induced phlebitis and its determinants among admitted patients in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta analysis, 2024

Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are frequently used in clinical practice. Nonetheless, individuals who receive intravenous injections frequently have varying degrees of phlebitis. According to pertinent research, the catheter gauge, insertion site, and length of catheterization are strongly correlated with the incidence of phlebitis. However, no meta-analysis on the combined incidence of phlebitis and its contributing factors has been conducted. Thus, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to close the previously identified gaps.

A literature survey was conducted using electronic databases (CINAHL, Embassy, Google Scholar, and PubMed), and 4 studies were included they used peripheral intravenous catheters for therapeutic or volumetric infusion and reported phlebitis incidence rates. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to obtain the overall and subgroup phlebitis incidence rates and odds ratio for phlebitis incidence.

The incidence of phlebitis was 41 per 100 catheters (95% CI 0.22–0.60). There were 1584 patients in the included studies to know the incidence of phlebitis. In the subgroup analysis, the incidence of phlebitis in neonatal and infant patients was 30% (95% CI 0.25–0.34), in pediatrics patients was 34% (95% CI 0.29–0.38), and in adult patients was 50% (95% CI 0.11–0.89) respectively. Joint involvement in the PIVC (AOR: 2.44, 95% CI 1.67, 3.2), longer catheter dwell time (AOR = 3.96, 95% CI 1.59–7.33), and drug and blood administration in one vein (AOR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.67–2.15) were the most common factors associated with the incidence of phlebitis in Ethiopia.

This meta-analysis indicates that PIVC-induced phlebitis is highly prevalent in Ethiopia. This meta-analysis identified significant risk factors for the development of phlebitis including medications and blood administered in a single vein, longer cannula dwelling times, and joint involvement in peripheral intravenous cannula insertion. Using the right interventions can lower the chance of developing phlebitis.