Evaluating Infection Prevention and Control Competency Among Healthcare Workers in Kenya
1
School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A220
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria, namely Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are emerging as consequential threats to public health due to their high levels of antimicrobial resistance and associated mortality (Cerceo et al., 2016). Kipsang et al. (2023) found a prevalence of 22.7% of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Kenyan intensive care unit . While the Ministry of Health has established Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines, staff literacy and its correlation with infection outcomes remain under-researched.
METHODS:
This study aimed to assess the level of self-reported IPC competency among healthcare workers and its influence on carbapenem-resistant hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prevalence in the country. It utilized a convergent parallel mixed methods approach to collect data. 31 healthcare workers were surveyed using a paper-based, self-administered questionnaire derived from the World Health Organization’s IPC framework at the facility level. It contained 5 core components and was administered across 12 departments. Key informant interviews were carried out with 7 members of the anti-microbial stewardship team. Statistical analysis was done using Rstudio 2024.12.1 +563.
RESULTS:
The distribution of levels was as follows: 48.39% intermediate, 38.71% basic, 9.68% advanced and 3.23% inadequate. A Pearson’s correlation coefficient of -0.79 (p = 0.2144, CL: 95%) revealed a strong but non-significant negative association between IPC competency level and carbapenem resistance prevalence rates. Component 5, targeting multimodal strategies for implementation of IPC interventions, was the lowest scoring with a mean of 20 points (s = 18.46). It most strongly predicted high carbapenem-resistance rates.
CONCLUSIONS:
Low self-reported IPC knowledge is a major factor influencing the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant HAIs in Kenya. There is a need for continuous medical education and training to reinforce knowledge on IPC strategies. Targeted interventions like multimodal hand hygiene campaigns and IPC audits can elevate scores, potentially reducing the burden of carbapenem resistance.
Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria, namely Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are emerging as consequential threats to public health due to their high levels of antimicrobial resistance and associated mortality (Cerceo et al., 2016). Kipsang et al. (2023) found a prevalence of 22.7% of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Kenyan intensive care unit . While the Ministry of Health has established Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines, staff literacy and its correlation with infection outcomes remain under-researched.
METHODS:
This study aimed to assess the level of self-reported IPC competency among healthcare workers and its influence on carbapenem-resistant hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prevalence in the country. It utilized a convergent parallel mixed methods approach to collect data. 31 healthcare workers were surveyed using a paper-based, self-administered questionnaire derived from the World Health Organization’s IPC framework at the facility level. It contained 5 core components and was administered across 12 departments. Key informant interviews were carried out with 7 members of the anti-microbial stewardship team. Statistical analysis was done using Rstudio 2024.12.1 +563.
RESULTS:
The distribution of levels was as follows: 48.39% intermediate, 38.71% basic, 9.68% advanced and 3.23% inadequate. A Pearson’s correlation coefficient of -0.79 (p = 0.2144, CL: 95%) revealed a strong but non-significant negative association between IPC competency level and carbapenem resistance prevalence rates. Component 5, targeting multimodal strategies for implementation of IPC interventions, was the lowest scoring with a mean of 20 points (s = 18.46). It most strongly predicted high carbapenem-resistance rates.
CONCLUSIONS:
Low self-reported IPC knowledge is a major factor influencing the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant HAIs in Kenya. There is a need for continuous medical education and training to reinforce knowledge on IPC strategies. Targeted interventions like multimodal hand hygiene campaigns and IPC audits can elevate scores, potentially reducing the burden of carbapenem resistance.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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