title: Healthcare-associated infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are the most frequent adverse consequences of healthcare worldwide, threatening the health of both patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). The impact of HCAI is particularly felt in resource-poor countries, with an already overstretched health workforce and a high burden of community-acquired infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of the current situation in sub-Saharan Africa with regards to the spectrum of HCAI, antimicrobial resistance, occupational exposure and infection prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the literature published between 1995 and 2013 and from other sources such as national and international agencies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sparse data suggest that HCAIs are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, with surgical site being the dominant focus of infection. Nosocomial transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is a considerable concern, as is the prevalence of meticillin-resistant S. aureus and resistant Enterobacteriaceae. In HCWs, vaccination rates against vaccine-preventable occupational hazards are low, as is reporting and subsequent human immunodeficiency virus-testing after occupational exposure. HCWs have an increased risk of tuberculosis relative to the general population. Compliance with hand hygiene is highly variable within the region. Injection safety in immunization programmes has improved over the past decade, mainly due to the introduction of autodestruct syringes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the scarcity of data, the burden of HCAI in sub-Saharan Africa appears to be high. There is evidence of some improvement in infection prevention and control, though widespread surveillance data are lacking. Overall, measures of infection prevention and occupational safety are scarce.
authors.affiliation: University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi. Electronic address: camilla.rothe@web.de.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rothe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schlaich
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Healthcare worker; Healthcare-associated infection; Injection safety; Needlestick injury; Sub-Saharan Africa