Status of infection prevention and control in Cameroon healthcare facilities: lessons learned from the WHO COVID-19 scorecard tool under the hierarchy of control model

• Main Authors: Boris Arnaud Kouomogne Nteungue (Author), Erick Tandi (Author), Chanceline Bilounga Ndongo (Author), Tania Bissouma-Ledjou (Author), Alphonse Acho (Author), Jeffrey Campbell (Author), Dieudonnée Reine Ndougou (Author), Reverien Habimana (Author), Ambomo Sylvie Myriam (Author), Bertolt Brecht Kouam Nteungue (Author), Oyono Yannick (Author), Louis Joss Bitang (Author), Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa (Author), Yap Boum (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Summary: Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) helps prevent disease transmission in healthcare facilities. There is a dearth of information on the implementation of IPC during the COVID-19 outbreak in Cameroon using the recommended WHO COVID-19 IPC scorecard tool. The present study assessed healthcare facilities' compliance to IPC by continuous assessments, with an evaluation of the tool using the hierarchy of control theory. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the 10 administrative regions of Cameroon by evaluating healthcare facilities prioritized by the Ministry of Public Health as high-risk facilities between March 2020 and November 2023. Comparisons were made regarding the facilities' ownership, level and status. Results: 2,188 assessments from 1,358 healthcare facilities were collected. The median IPC scores at each evaluation were between the intermediate and advanced level, with a bias linked with decreasing selection of facilities. However, only 172 (13%) healthcare facilities achieved advanced IPC score (≥75%). Higher IPC scores were found in hospitals (p<0.001) and in private facilities (p=0.02). Predictors of good IPC compliance were hospital (OR=3.7, CI: 1.4-9.8) and private facility (OR=2.3, CI: 1.6-3.3). The tool met the five domains of the hierarchy of control model. Conclusion: Repeated IPC assessments using recommended tools contribute to a better compliance of IPC by healthcare facilities in resources constrained settings.

Item Description

2590-0889
10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100407