title: Surveillance of nosocomial infections in the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nosocomial infections (NI) represent a real public health problem in developing countries. Their surveillance is recommended to provide needed information for better control. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and distribution of NI in the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (YUTH).
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a longitudinal and descriptive study targeting hospitalized patients in the intensive care, gynaecological, surgical and neonatal units. Each consenting patient was administered a questionnaire at the beginning of the study and followed up daily for the duration of their hospitalization using a standardized grid to detect all nosocomial infections. Cumulative incidence was used to estimate NI frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 307 patients included. The cumulative incidence and specific mortality rate of NI were 19.21% (16.9-21.5) and 28% (16.2-42.5) respectively. Septicaemia (20.34%), infection of the skin and soft tissues (20.34%) and urinary tract infections (15.25%) were the most frequent type of NI. Klebsiella spp. was the most frequently isolated bacterium (27%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nosocomial infections contribute to high hospital morbidity in the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital. Strategies need to be identified for a sustainable and continuous monitoring of NI in all health facilities of Cameroon. In addition, Further studies should identify NI determinants and interventions for efficient and better control.
authors.affiliation: Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation, P.O. Box 14315, Yaounde, Cameroon. njuliennestephanie@gmail.com.|M.A. SANTE (Meilleur Accès aux Soins de Santé/Better Access to Health Care), P.O. Box 33490, Yaounde, Cameroon. njuliennestephanie@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julienne Stéphanie
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Nouetchognou
authors.affiliation: M.A. SANTE (Meilleur Accès aux Soins de Santé/Better Access to Health Care), P.O. Box 33490, Yaounde, Cameroon.|Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.|Division of Health Operations Research, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ateudjieu
authors.affiliation: University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Bonaventure
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jemea
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Edmond Nzene
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Mesumbe
authors.affiliation: University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mbanya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon; D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Cameroon; Epidemiology; Nosocomial infections; Patient safety; Surveillance