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Achieving minimum standards for infection prevention and control in Sierra Leone: urgent need for a quantum leap in progress in the COVID-19 era! | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Research

Achieving minimum standards for infection prevention and control in Sierra Leone: urgent need for a quantum leap in progress in the COVID-19 era!

Fofanah BD, Abrahamyan A, Maruta A, Kallon C, Thekkur P, Kamara IP, Njuguna CK, Squire JS, Kanu JS, Bah AJ, Lakoh S, Kamara D, Hermans V, Zachariah R
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Good Infection prevention and control (IPC) is vital for tackling antimicrobial resistance and limiting health care-associated infections. We compared IPC performance before (2019) and during the COVID-19 (2021) era at the national IPC unit and all regional (4) and district hospitals (8) in Sierra Leone.

METHODS
Cross-sectional assessments using standardized World Health Organizations IPC checklists. IPC performance scores were graded as inadequate = 0–25%, basic = 25.1–50%, intermediate = 50.1–75%, and advanced = 75.1–100%.

RESULTS
Overall performance improved from ‘basic’ to ‘intermediate’ at the national IPC unit (41% in 2019 to 58% in 2021) and at regional hospitals (37% in 2019 to 54% in 2021) but remained ‘basic’ at district hospitals (37% in 2019 to 50% in 2021). Priority gaps at the national IPC unit included lack of: a dedicated IPC budget, monitoring the effectiveness of IPC trainings and health care-associated infection surveillance. Gaps at hospitals included no assessment of hospital staffing needs, inadequate infrastructure for IPC and lack of a well-defined monitoring plan with clear goals, targets and activities.

CONCLUSION
Although there is encouraging progress in IPC performance, it is slower than desired in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is urgent need to mobilize political will, leadership and resources and make a quantum leap forward

Countries

Sierra Leone

Subject Area

Covid-19SORT-ITinfections, other

Collections

World Hand Hygiene Day 2023

Languages

English
DOI
10.3390/ijerph19095642
Published Date
06 May 2022
PubMed ID
35565037
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 19, Issue 9, Pages 5642
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