Infection Prevention and Control in Three Tertiary Healthcare Facilities in Freetown, Sierra Leone during the COVID-19 Pandemic: More Needs to Be Done!

Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara, Sia Morenike Tengbe, Bobson Derrick Fofanah, James Edward Bunn, Charles Kuria Njuguna, Christiana Kallon and Ajay M. V. Kumar
Additional contact information
Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara: World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Sia Morenike Tengbe: Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 4th Floor, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Bobson Derrick Fofanah: World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
James Edward Bunn: World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Charles Kuria Njuguna: World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Christiana Kallon: Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 4th Floor, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Ajay M. V. Kumar: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2 Rue Jean Lantier, 75001 Paris, France

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures are critical to the reduction in healthcare-associated infections, especially during pandemics, such as that of COVID-19. We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study in August 2021 at Connaught Hospital, Princess Christian Maternity Hospital and Ola During Children’s Hospital located in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We used the World Health Organization’s Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework Tool to assess the level of IPC compliance at these healthcare facilities. The overall IPC compliance score at Connaught Hospital was 323.5 of 800 points, 313.5 of 800 at Ola During Children’s Hospital, 281 of 800 at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, implying a ‘Basic’ IPC compliance grade. These facilities had an IPC program, IPC committees and dedicated IPC focal persons. However, there were several challenges, including access to safe and clean water and insufficient quantities of face masks, examination gloves and aprons. Furthermore, there was no dedicated budget or no healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance, and monitoring/audit of IPC practices were weak. These findings are of concern during the COVID-19 era, and there is an urgent need for both financial and technical support to address the gaps and challenges identified.

Keywords: SORT IT (Structured Operational Researh Training Initiative); operational research; Sierra Leone; Infection Prevention and Control; WHO IPCAF (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework) tool; personal protective equipment; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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