scholarly journals Potential of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for infection prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Faatiema Salie ◽  
◽  
Trust Saidi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Surface Disinfection ◽  
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Way

The response to the challenges arising during the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the rapid implementation of innovative technological solutions which have been built on established knowledge and resources. This has been reflected in infection, prevention and control practices (IPC) to minimise the transmission of the disease. In this article, we review ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) as such a technology. We illustrate the way it has traditionally been used in airborne and surface disinfection strategies, and how it has, more recently, been adapted. UVGI has been widely used as an environmental IPC measure against tuberculosis in South Africa, though challenges have been experienced in the implementation of the technology in public healthcare facilities. This has resulted in the development of a knowledge and infrastructure base. We posit that, given the established UVGI resources in South Africa, the technology may be a viable environmental IPC solution for the COVID-19 period and beyond.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards viral haemorrhagic fevers amongst healthcare workers in urban and rural public healthcare facilities in the N’zérékoré Prefecture, Guinea: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Raab ◽  
Lisa M. Pfadenhauer ◽  
Tamba Jacques Millimouno ◽  
Michael Hoelscher ◽  
Guenter Froeschl
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
And Control ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Introduction: The 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa began in Guinea’s Forest region, a region now considered to be at high risk for future epidemics of viral haemorrhagic fevers. Good knowledge, attitudes and practices towards viral haemorrhagic fevers amongst healthcare workers in such regions are a central pillar of infection prevention and control. To inform future training in infection prevention and control, this study assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards viral haemorrhagic fevers amongst healthcare workers in public healthcare facilities in the most populated prefecture in Forest Guinea, and compares results from urban and rural areas. Methods: In June and July 2019, we interviewed 102 healthcare workers in the main urban and rural public healthcare facilities in the N’zérékoré prefecture in Forest Guinea. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from validated KAP surveys. Results: The great majority of respondents demonstrated good knowledge and favourable attitudes towards viral haemorrhagic fevers. However, respondents reported considerable gaps in preventive practices, a shortage of protective medical equipment used in everyday clinical work in both urban and rural healthcare facilities and a lack of training in infection control and prevention, especially in rural healthcare facilities. Conclusions: Three years after the end of the Ebola epidemic, our findings suggest that public healthcare facilities in the N’zérékoré prefecture in Forest Guinea still lack essential protective equipment and adequate training in viral haemorrhagic fever infection prevention and control. Especially rural areas seem to be affected of this lack. To minimize the risk of future viral haemorrhagic fever epidemics and other outbreaks of infectious diseases in the region, current efforts to strengthen the public healthcare system in Guinea should supply enough protective medical equipment and ensure that regular IPC trainings have a positive impact and that preventive practices are followed in everyday clinical work.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control at healthcare facilities in South Africa: A knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey of health workers in four provinces

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiendhra Vasudevan Moodley ◽  
Muzimkhulu Zungu ◽  
Molebogeng Malotle ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Nico Claassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Health workers are crucial to the successful implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at healthcare facilities. The aim of our study was to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge and attitudes of frontline health workers in four provinces of South Africa as well as explore some elements of health worker and health facility infection prevention and control practices.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilised. The study population comprised both clinical and non-clinical staff working in the casualty and outpatient departments. A structured questionnaire was developed using the World Health Organization guidance as the basis for the knowledge questions. The questionnaire was self-administered, and COVID-19 protocols were observed during data collection.Results: A total of 286 health workers from 47 health facilities at different levels of care participated in the survey. The mean score on the 10 knowledge items was 6.3 (SD=1.6). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.4%) answered six or more questions correctly while less than a quarter of all participants (24.1%) managed to score eight or more. A knowledge score of 8 or more was significantly associated with occupational category (being either a medical doctor or nurse), age (<40 years) and level of hospital (tertiary level). Only half of participants (50.7%) felt adequately prepared to deal with patients with COVD-19 at the time of the survey. The health workers displaying attitudes that would put themselves or others at risk were in the minority. Only 55.6% of participants had received infection prevention and control training. Some participants indicated they did not have access to medical masks (11.8%) and gloves (9.9%) in their departments.Conclusions: The attitudes of participants reflected a willingness to engage in appropriate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control practices as well as a commitment to be involved in COVID-19 patient care. Ensuring adequate infection prevention and control training for all staff and universal access to appropriate PPE were identified as key areas that needed to be addressed. Interim and final reports which identified key shortcomings that needed to be addressed were provided to the provincial departments of health.

scholarly journals Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals A health worker knowledge, attitudes and practices survey of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiendhra Vasudevan Moodley ◽  
Muzimkhulu Zungu ◽  
Molebogeng Malotle ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Nico Claassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Worker ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Health workers are crucial to the successful implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at healthcare facilities. The aim of our study was to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge and attitudes of frontline health workers in four provinces of South Africa as well as explore some elements of health worker and health facility infection prevention and control practices. Methods A cross-sectional study design was utilised. The study population comprised both clinical and non-clinical staff working in casualty departments, outpatient departments, and entrance points of health facilities. A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed using the World Health Organization guidance as the basis for the knowledge questions. COVID-19 protocols were observed during data collection. Results A total of 286 health workers from 47 health facilities at different levels of care participated in the survey. The mean score on the 10 knowledge items was 6.3 (SD = 1.6). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.4%) answered six or more questions correctly while less than a quarter of all participants (24.1%) managed to score eight or more. A knowledge score of 8 or more was significantly associated with occupational category (being either a medical doctor or nurse), age (< 40 years) and level of hospital (tertiary level). Only half of participants (50.7%) felt adequately prepared to deal with patients with COVD-19 at the time of the survey. The health workers displaying attitudes that would put themselves or others at risk were in the minority. Only 55.6% of participants had received infection prevention and control training. Some participants indicated they did not have access to medical masks (11.8%) and gloves (9.9%) in their departments. Conclusions The attitudes of participants reflected a willingness to engage in appropriate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control practices as well as a commitment to be involved in COVID-19 patient care. Ensuring adequate infection prevention and control training for all staff and universal access to appropriate PPE were identified as key areas that needed to be addressed. Interim and final reports which identified key shortcomings that needed to be addressed were provided to the relevant provincial departments of health.

scholarly journals Clean and Safe Healthcare Environment: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Infection Prevention and Control among Health Workforce at North Showa Zone Oromiya Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kemal Jemal ◽  
Ketema Gashaw ◽  
Tadele Kinati ◽  
Worku Bedada ◽  
Belete Getahun
Keyword(s):  
Health Workforce ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Control Practice ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
And Control ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Background. Infection prevention and control practice (IPCP) is essential for healthcare safety and quality service delivery. The Ethiopian government has already put in place programs and initiatives for clean and safe healthcare facilities. However, in the North Showa Zone of the Oromiya Region, the infection prevention and control practice level was not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of infection prevention and control practice among the health workforce (HWF) in North Shoa healthcare facilities (NSHCFs) environment. Methods. Healthcare facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Structured and pretested self-administered questionnaires were distributed for 373 health workforce. Three hospitals and six health centers were randomly selected, and the study participants were selected by systematic sampling technique. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.5.2 and then exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the associated factors with infection prevention practice, and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 361 (96.8%) health workforce responded to self-administered questionnaires. About 55.70% of study participants had good knowledge, 59.3% of them had a positive attitude, and 46.8% had a good infection prevention practice. Age category of 20–29(AOR = 4.08, 95%, CI = (1.97, 8.49)), female participants (AOR = 3.87, 95%, CI = (1.91, 7.86)), single participants (AOR = 3.89, 95%, CI = (1.92, 7.87)), having greater than ten years of working experience (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI = (1.19, 8.10)), positive attitude (AOR = 10.07, 95% CI = (4.82, 21.05)), and availability of water at working area (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI = (1.18, 4.35)) were significantly associated with good infection prevention practice. Conclusion. In this study, a significant number of health workers had low knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor infection prevention practices. Female participants, higher work experience, a positive attitude, and water availability in the healthcare facilities were positively associated with infection prevention and control practice. Healthcare facilities should be continued capacitating the health workforce on infection prevention and control measures and equipping health facilities with infection prevention materials.

scholarly journals Train-the-Trainers in hand hygiene: a standardized approach to guide education in infection prevention and control

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermira Tartari ◽  
Carolina Fankhauser ◽  
Sarah Masson-Roy ◽  
Hilda Márquez-Villarreal ◽  
Inmaculada Fernández Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Hand Hygiene Improvement ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Harmonization in hand hygiene training for infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals is lacking. We describe a standardized approach to training, using a “Train-the-Trainers” (TTT) concept for IPC professionals and assess its impact on hand hygiene knowledge in six countries. Methods We developed a three-day simulation-based TTT course based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy. To evaluate its impact, we have performed a pre-and post-course knowledge questionnaire. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the results before and after training. Results Between June 2016 and January 2018 we conducted seven TTT courses in six countries: Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, Spain and Thailand. A total of 305 IPC professionals completed the programme. Participants included nurses (n = 196; 64.2%), physicians (n = 53; 17.3%) and other health professionals (n = 56; 18.3%). In total, participants from more than 20 countries were trained. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in knowledge between the pre- and post-TTT training phases was observed in all countries. Puebla (Mexico) had the highest improvement (22.3%; p < 0.001), followed by Malaysia (21.2%; p < 0.001), Jalisco (Mexico; 20.2%; p < 0.001), Thailand (18.8%; p < 0.001), South Africa (18.3%; p < 0.001), Iran (17.5%; p < 0.001) and Spain (9.7%; p = 0.047). Spain had the highest overall test scores, while Thailand had the lowest pre- and post-scores. Positive aspects reported included: unique learning environment, sharing experiences, hands-on practices on a secure environment and networking among IPC professionals. Sustainability was assessed through follow-up evaluations conducted in three original TTT course sites in Mexico (Jalisco and Puebla) and in Spain: improvement was sustained in the last follow-up phase when assessed 5 months, 1 year and 2 years after the first TTT course, respectively. Conclusions The TTT in hand hygiene model proved to be effective in enhancing participant’s knowledge, sharing experiences and networking. IPC professionals can use this reference training method worldwide to further disseminate knowledge to other health care workers.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and comparison of the phenotypic versus genotypic screening tests for the detection of carbapenemases at a tertiary level, academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teena S. M. Thomas ◽  
Adriano G. Duse
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Type ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
And Control ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) cause significant infections and pose a threat to the viability of available antibiotics. Understanding the epidemiology of these infections will assist in guiding appropriate treatment and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in an institution. In addition, the phenotypic carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) screening tests are widely used in South Africa. However, there is no published literature on their performance against PCR in that setting. Therefore, CRE epidemiology and performance of the Modified Hodge with Imipenem and Imipenem + EDTA combined disk tests (CDT) was evaluated at a tertiary academic hospital in Johannesburg.Method: A retrospective collection of data was performed. Data from January 2015 to December 2016 of all clinical isolates that were CRE OR carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae with at least one positive CPE screening test were collected. Information collected included the ward areas from which samples were sent, specimen type that cultured CRE, CRE identification and carbapenem MIC results, phenotypic and genotypic CPE results.Results: Certain ward areas recurred as predominant areas with CRE infection in the two-year period. The prominent sample types that cultured CRE, the predominant Enterobacteriaceae species and carbapenemases identified corresponded with national surveillance data. The predominant carbapenemase type and level of carbapenem resistance conferred changed within one year. The Hodge test performed poorly for carbapenemase detection. The CDT detected metallo-β-lactamases adequately.Conclusion: In this study, the use of the MHT to screen for CPEs performed poorly. Continued surveillance will (i) lead to an understanding of the patient population (including infection type) affected, (ii) detect changes in the carbapenemase profiles, and (iii) inform infection prevention and control and appropriate clinical management.

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