Challenges regarding the control of environmental sources of contamination in healthcare settings in low-and middleincome countries - a narrative review
Date
2020
Authors
Ogunsola, F.T.
Mehtar, S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) especially outbreaks of multi-drug-resistant organisms within
hospitals are recognized as a major contributor to morbidity and mortality of hospitalized patients. The healthcare
environment can act as an amplifier of HAI during outbreaks. The risk of acquiring HAI are 20 times higher in Lowand-middle-income countries.
The purpose of this article is to review the challenges associated with controlling environmental contamination in
low and lower-middle income countries (LMIC), highlighting possible solutions.
Method: This is a narrative review. A literature search was carried out in Google scholar, PubMed, Science Direct,
EBSCOHOST, CENGAGE, Scopus, ProQuest, Clinical Key and African journals online using the key words - Health care
Associated Infections (HCAIs) in LMICs, Challenges of HAIs in LMIC, Challenges of Prevention and Control of HAIs in
LMICs, Environment of care and infection transmission, Contaminated environment and HAIs.
Results: From the accessed databases, 1872 articles related to environmental sources of contamination in healthcare
settings were found. Of these, only 530 articles focused on LMICs. However, only 186 articles met the inclusion criteria
studies published in English, conducted between 2000 and 2019 and exploring environmental sources of contamination in
LMIC healthcare settings). The sources of environmental contamination in healthcare are numerous and commonly
associated with poor governance, Inadequate infrastructure, human capacity and inadequate funding. Low awareness exists
at all levels as to the role of the environment in healthcare outcomes and may explain in part the low priority given for
funding.
Conclusion: Leadership and trained personnel, both Infection prevention and control practitioners and cleaners are crucial
to drive and sustain the process to reduce environmental contamination in healthcare environments
Description
Keywords
Challenges , Environment , Contamination , Infection control , Low-and-lower middle income
Citation
Ogunsola F.T. and Mehtar S. Challenges regarding the control of environmental sources of contamination in healthcare settings in low-and middleincome countries - a narrative review. (2020). Vol 9(81) https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-020-00747-0.
URI
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https://ir.unilag.edu.ng/handle/123456789/8662
https://ir.unilag.edu.ng/handle/123456789/8662