TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating infection prevention and control programs in Zambian hospitals using the WHO infection prevention and control assessment framework tool
AU - Mudenda, Steward
AU - Chizimu, Joseph Yamweka
AU - Ndegwa, Linus
AU - Kasanga, Maisa
AU - Mutwale, Ilunga
AU - Kalungia, Aubrey Chichonyi
AU - Wesangula, Evelyn
AU - Lubanga, Adriano Focus
AU - Mwansa, James C.L.
AU - Mwaba, Martha
AU - Massele, Amos Yared
AU - Sinyange, Nyambe
AU - Mashe, Tapfumanei
AU - Mutila, Malambo
AU - Simujayang’ombe, Paul
AU - Lowrance, David
AU - Yamba, Kaunda
AU - Shawa, Misheck
AU - Nakajima, Chie
AU - Suzuki, Yasuhiko
AU - Muma, John Bwalya
AU - Sartelli, Massimo
AU - Godman, Brian
AU - Chilengi, Roma
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2025 Mudenda, Chizimu, Ndegwa, Kasanga, Mutwale, Kalungia, Wesangula, Lubanga, Mwansa, Mwaba, Massele, Sinyange, Mashe, Mutila, Simujayang’ombe, Lowrance, Yamba, Shawa, Nakajima, Suzuki, Muma, Sartelli, Godman and Chilengi.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Background: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is key to preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluated the implementation of IPC in Zambian hospitals. Materials and methods: We conducted a multicentric cross-sectional study in nine hospitals across Zambia using the WHO IPCAF tool. Data were collected from September 1 to 30, 2024 and analyzed using the self-scoring Excel and IBM SPSS version 25.0. Results: Out of the nine hospitals assessed, four were tertiary-level hospitals while the rest were secondary-level hospitals. Overall, the implementation of IPC core components was intermediate (IPCAF Score of 594 out of 800). Four hospitals had IPCAF scores between 401 and 600, indicating an intermediate level of IPC implementation. Five hospitals scored between 601 and 800, indicating an advanced implementation of IPC in these hospitals. Three tertiary hospitals scored between 601 and 800, demonstrating their advanced implementation of IPC core components. Conclusion: This study found that the overall implementation of IPC in the surveyed hospitals was intermediate, indicating that further improvements were needed. There is a need to provide peer-learning support and strengthen IPC implementation to respond to new or re-emerging infections and AMR in the country and beyond.
AB - Background: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is key to preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluated the implementation of IPC in Zambian hospitals. Materials and methods: We conducted a multicentric cross-sectional study in nine hospitals across Zambia using the WHO IPCAF tool. Data were collected from September 1 to 30, 2024 and analyzed using the self-scoring Excel and IBM SPSS version 25.0. Results: Out of the nine hospitals assessed, four were tertiary-level hospitals while the rest were secondary-level hospitals. Overall, the implementation of IPC core components was intermediate (IPCAF Score of 594 out of 800). Four hospitals had IPCAF scores between 401 and 600, indicating an intermediate level of IPC implementation. Five hospitals scored between 601 and 800, indicating an advanced implementation of IPC in these hospitals. Three tertiary hospitals scored between 601 and 800, demonstrating their advanced implementation of IPC core components. Conclusion: This study found that the overall implementation of IPC in the surveyed hospitals was intermediate, indicating that further improvements were needed. There is a need to provide peer-learning support and strengthen IPC implementation to respond to new or re-emerging infections and AMR in the country and beyond.
KW - IPCAF
KW - Zambia
KW - antimicrobial resistance
KW - healthcare-associated infections
KW - infection prevention and control
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105015475855
U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1642119
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1642119
M3 - Article
C2 - 40951411
AN - SCOPUS:105015475855
SN - 2296-2565
VL - 13
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
JF - Frontiers in Public Health
M1 - 1642119
ER -