Study to Combat Healthcare-Associated Infections Underway in Malawi
Participants in the study include nurses, doctors, housekeeping staff, and patient guardians at the two hospital sites.
LILONGWE, Malawi— A group of scientists in Malawi are conducting a study to promote best hygiene practices and combat infections associated with the country's public healthcare facilities, writes Chrissie Hazimthera Mainjeni.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that occur within healthcare services, posing potential harm to patients, staff and visitors.
These infections can lead to longer hospital stays and increased exposure to antibiotics, contributing to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
According to researchers from the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme, the prevalence rate of HAIs in high-income countries is estimated at 7%, while in middle- and low-income countries like Malawi, the rate stands between 5-19.1%. At Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, the prevalence was 11% in 2021.
"Our study sites have been Queen Elizabeth and Zomba Central Hospitals. What we have established over the years is that the most common HAIs in these hospitals are urinary tract infections that are caused by improper insertion of the catheter, surgical site, canula, and blood streamline infections," said researcher Donald Zgambo.
Zgambo noted that on surgical site infections, the healing process of operational wounds is sometimes delayed due to poor handling during procedures, and improper insertion of intravenous cannulas can also lead to infections.
"It is sad to note that patients go to these facilities with a different infection but come back with another. We cannot continue like this as a country. We need to come up with strategies that would be in line with the World Health Organization's core components of infection prevention and control," Zgambo emphasized.
The five-year study, which will conclude in 2026, has identified interventions to be implemented for 18 months starting in January 2024. These include promoting hand hygiene, proper wound dressings, catheter and cannula insertions, and environmental cleaning.
"At the end of the study, a toolkit will be developed for possible scaling out to other healthcare facilities in the country," Zgambo said.
Participants in the study include nurses, doctors, housekeeping staff, and patient guardians at the two hospital sites.
The Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme is conducting the study in partnership with the Malawi government, Kamuzu College of Health Sciences, the National Institute for Health, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
"Healthcare-associated infections are a serious problem that we must address to protect patients, staff, and the entire healthcare system," said the Malawi Minister of Health.
"We are grateful for the research efforts and look forward to the development of effective interventions that can be scaled nationwide."