TITLE: The predisposing factors and the microorganisms isolated from patients with puerperal sepsis in Ikeja, Nigeria. BACKGROUND: Puerperal sepsis is one of the leading causes of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality in developing nations. However, the predisposing factors and the isolated organisms from the endo-cervix of patients with puerperal sepsis vary considerably from one region to another. This variation affects the prevention and treatment of cases. Hence, the need to know what obtains in our environment. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the incidence of and the predisposing factors to puerperal sepsis in patients seen at LASUTH, Ikeja as well as to describe the isolated microorganisms and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study in which consecutive patients seen at the hospital with puerperal sepsis were counseled and their informed consent obtained before being recruited into the study. The recruitment lasted a period of 8 months. A proforma was used to obtain socio-demographic data and information relating to puerperal sepsis at presentation. These data were compared with data from women without puerperal sepsis within the same period of study in order to determine the predisposing factors to puerperal sepsis. Endocervical swabs were taken from all patients with puerperal sepsis and sent to the laboratory for isolation of microorganisms and antibiotic susceptibility test. The data obtained were entered into and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0; a statistical computer program.