Achieving minimum standards for infection prevention and control in Sierra Leone: Urgent need for a quantum leap in progress in the COVID-19 era!
Date
2022-05-06Author
Fofanah, Bobson Derrick
Abrahamyan, Arpine
Maruta, Anna
Kallon, Christiana
Thekkur, Pruthu
Kamara, Ibrahim Franklyn
Njuguna, Charles Kuria
Squire, James Sylvester
Kanu, Joseph Sam
Bah, Abdulai Jawo
Lakoh, Sulaiman
Kamara, Dauda
Hermans, Veerle
Zachariah, Rony
Metadata
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Fofanah, B.D., Abrahamyan, A., Maruta, A., Kallon, C., Thekkur, P., Kamara, I.F., Njuguna, C.K., Squire, J.S., Kanu, J.S., Bah, A.J., Lakoh, S., Kamara, D., Hermans, V. and Zachariah, R. (2022) 'Achieving minimum standards for infection prevention and control in Sierra Leone: Urgent need for a quantum leap in progress in the COVID-19 era!', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), article no. e5642.
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.