title: Evaluating infection control: a review of implementation of an infection prevention and control program in a low-income country setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to review the status of the comprehensive infection prevention and control program (IPCP) established in the Republic of Kiribati in 2005, and to identify opportunities to continue and expand the integration of the IPCP into health service delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review was conducted in 2010 using 2 empirical tools: a pilot IPCP evaluation (IPCPE) tool that evaluated the activities of the program and its implementation, and a previously validated self-administered survey that assessed health care worker (HCW) knowledge, application, and confidence in infection control principles and practice. The survey was given to all 186 clinicians at Tungaru Central Hospital; the response rate was 59.7%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Kiribati IPCP demonstrated a minimum level of compliance (75%) with the activity standards set out in the IPCPE tool. The mean scores on the HCW survey were 62% for knowledge, 63% for application, and 79% for confidence. Significant correlations were found among knowledge, application, and confidence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This evaluation of the Kiribati IPCP with our IPCPE tool provides valuable insight into the status of a recently adopted comprehensive program and how it has translated into the knowledge, application, and confidence of HCWs in their clinical practice. The HCW survey provides evidence that the IPCP has translated into confidence and ability in the application of infection prevention practices.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. petaanne.zimmerman@gmail.com
authors.forename: Peta-Anne
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yeatman
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murdoch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008849:Micronesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged