Zikria Saleem1, Mohamed Azmi Hassali2, Brian Godman3, Furqan Khurshid Hashmi1, Fahad Saleem4. 1. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia; Department of Pharmacy Practice, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. 2. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. 3. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, United Kingdom. 4. Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are seen as a global public health threat, leading to increased mortality and morbidity as well as costs. However, little is currently known about the prevalence of HAIs in Pakistan. Consequently, this multicenter prevalence survey of HAIs was conducted to assess the prevalence of HAIs in Pakistan. METHODS: We used the methodology employed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to assess the prevalence of HAIs in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Data were collected from 13 hospitals using a structured data collection tool. RESULTS: Out of 1,553 hospitalized patients, 130 (8.4%) had symptoms of HAIs. The most common HAI was surgical site infection (40.0%), followed by bloodstream infection (21.5%), and lower respiratory tract infection (14.6%). The prevalence of HAI was higher in private sector hospitals (25.0%) and among neonates (23.8%) and patients admitted to intensive care units (33.3%). Patients without HAIs were admitted mainly to public sector hospitals and adult medical and surgical wards. CONCLUSIONS: The study found a high rate of HAIs among hospitals in Pakistan, especially surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and lower respiratory tract infections. This needs to be addressed to reduce morbidity, mortality, and costs in the future, and further research is planned.
BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are seen as a global public health threat, leading to increased mortality and morbidity as well as costs. However, little is currently known about the prevalence of HAIs in Pakistan. Consequently, this multicenter prevalence survey of HAIs was conducted to assess the prevalence of HAIs in Pakistan. METHODS: We used the methodology employed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to assess the prevalence of HAIs in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Data were collected from 13 hospitals using a structured data collection tool. RESULTS: Out of 1,553 hospitalized patients, 130 (8.4%) had symptoms of HAIs. The most common HAI was surgical site infection (40.0%), followed by bloodstream infection (21.5%), and lower respiratory tract infection (14.6%). The prevalence of HAI was higher in private sector hospitals (25.0%) and among neonates (23.8%) and patients admitted to intensive care units (33.3%). Patients without HAIs were admitted mainly to public sector hospitals and adult medical and surgical wards. CONCLUSIONS: The study found a high rate of HAIs among hospitals in Pakistan, especially surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and lower respiratory tract infections. This needs to be addressed to reduce morbidity, mortality, and costs in the future, and further research is planned.
Authors: Septimiu Voidazan; Sorin Albu; Réka Toth; Bianca Grigorescu; Anca Rachita; Iuliu Moldovan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-01-25 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Julius C Mwita; Olayinka O Ogunleye; Adesola Olalekan; Aubrey C Kalungia; Amanj Kurdi; Zikria Saleem; Jacqueline Sneddon; Brian Godman Journal: Int J Gen Med Date: 2021-02-18
Authors: M J Loftus; S J Curtis; R Naidu; A C Cheng; A W J Jenney; B G Mitchell; P L Russo; E Rafai; A Y Peleg; A J Stewardson Journal: Antimicrob Resist Infect Control Date: 2020-08-28 Impact factor: 4.887