Availability of the core components of the World Health Organization infection prevention and control strategies in health facilities in Southwestern Uganda: Implications for control of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are required to prevent nosocomial infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In low- and middle-income countries, where resources are often limited, IPC practices are infrequently assessed.

AIM

To assess the availability of the core components of World Health Organization (WHO) IPC practices at health facilities in Southwestern Uganda.

METHODS

We assessed the availability of WHO IPC core components using a modified WHO IPC Assessment tool. We determined differences between government versus private ownership and by type of health facility.

FINDINGS

We assessed 111 of 224 (50%) health facilities in four districts. The most frequently achieved core component of IPC strategies was environmental cleanliness with 75 of 111 (68%) facilities scoring >85%. The most infrequently achieved core component of IPC strategies was personal protective equipment (PPE) with only one of seven (14%) hospitals and no other facilities scoring >85%. Of the 20 hospital or health center IV facilities, five (25%) received an overall score of >85% compared to only one of 91 (1%) health center II or III facilities (odds ratio [OR] 30.0 [95% CI: 3.27-274.99], p=0.003). Of the 73 government facilities, two (3%) received an overall score of >85% compared to five of 38 (13%) private facilities (OR 0.24 [95% CI: 0.04-1.37], p=0.11).

CONCLUSION

Few facilities in four districts in Southwestern Uganda achieved >85% availability of WHO IPC core components. Provision of PPE in these facilities should be prioritized.