Browsing by Subject "Infection control"

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    Colonisation with pathogenic drug-resistant bacteria and Clostridioides difficile among residents of residential care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa: a cross-sectional prevalence study
    (2019-11-19) September, Jason; Geffen, Leon; Manning, Kathryn; Naicker, Preneshni; Faro, Cheryl; Mendelson, Marc; Wasserman, Sean
    Abstract Background Residential care facilities (RCFs) act as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). There are scarce data on colonisation with MDROs in Africa. We aimed to determine the prevalence of MDROs and C. difficile and risk factors for carriage amongst residents of RCFs in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods We performed a cross-sectional surveillance study at three RCFs. Chromogenic agar was used to screen skin swabs for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and stool samples for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E). Antigen testing and PCR was used to detect Clostridiodes difficile. Risk factors for colonisation were determined with logistic regression. Results One hundred fifty-four residents were enrolled, providing 119 stool samples and 152 sets of skin swabs. Twenty-seven (22.7%) stool samples were positive for ESBL-E, and 13 (8.6%) residents had at least one skin swab positive for MRSA. Two (1.6%) stool samples tested positive for C. difficile. Poor functional status (OR 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0–1.6)) and incontinence (OR 2.9 (95% CI, 1.2–6.9)) were significant predictors for ESBL-E colonisation. MRSA colonization appeared higher in frail care areas (8/58 v 5/94, p = 0.07). Conclusions There was a relatively high prevalence of colonisation with MDROs, particularly ESBL-E, but low C. difficile carriage, with implications for antibiotic prescribing and infection control practice.
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    Importance of ventilation and occupancy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission rates in congregate settings
    (2022-09-19) Deol, A. K.; Shaikh, N.; Middelkoop, K.; Mohlamonyane, M.; White, R. G.; McCreesh, N.
    Abstract Background Ventilation rates are a key determinant of the transmission rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne infections. Targeting infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions at locations where ventilation rates are low and occupancy high could be a highly effective intervention strategy. Despite this, few data are available on ventilation rates and occupancy in congregate locations in high tuberculosis burden settings. Methods We collected carbon dioxide concentration and occupancy data in congregate locations and public transport on 88 occasions, in Cape Town, South Africa. For each location, we estimated ventilation rates and the relative rate of infection, accounting for ventilation rates and occupancy. Results We show that the estimated potential transmission rate in congregate settings and public transport varies greatly between different settings. Overall, in the community we studied, estimated infection risk was higher in minibus taxis and trains than in salons, bars, and shops. Despite good levels of ventilation, infection risk could be high in the clinic due to high occupancy levels. Conclusion Public transport in particular may be promising targets for infection prevention and control interventions in this setting, both to reduce Mtb transmission, but also to reduce the transmission of other airborne pathogens such as measles and SARS-CoV-2.
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    Open Access
    Importance of ventilation and occupancy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission rates in congregate settings
    (2022-09-19) Deol, A. K.; Shaikh, N.; Middelkoop, K.; Mohlamonyane, M.; White, R. G.; McCreesh, N.
    Abstract Background Ventilation rates are a key determinant of the transmission rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne infections. Targeting infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions at locations where ventilation rates are low and occupancy high could be a highly effective intervention strategy. Despite this, few data are available on ventilation rates and occupancy in congregate locations in high tuberculosis burden settings. Methods We collected carbon dioxide concentration and occupancy data in congregate locations and public transport on 88 occasions, in Cape Town, South Africa. For each location, we estimated ventilation rates and the relative rate of infection, accounting for ventilation rates and occupancy. Results We show that the estimated potential transmission rate in congregate settings and public transport varies greatly between different settings. Overall, in the community we studied, estimated infection risk was higher in minibus taxis and trains than in salons, bars, and shops. Despite good levels of ventilation, infection risk could be high in the clinic due to high occupancy levels. Conclusion Public transport in particular may be promising targets for infection prevention and control interventions in this setting, both to reduce Mtb transmission, but also to reduce the transmission of other airborne pathogens such as measles and SARS-CoV-2.
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    Importance of ventilation and occupancy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission rates in congregate settings
    (2022-09-19) Deol, A. K.; Shaikh, N.; Middelkoop, K.; Mohlamonyane, M.; White, R. G.; McCreesh, N.
    Abstract Background Ventilation rates are a key determinant of the transmission rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne infections. Targeting infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions at locations where ventilation rates are low and occupancy high could be a highly effective intervention strategy. Despite this, few data are available on ventilation rates and occupancy in congregate locations in high tuberculosis burden settings. Methods We collected carbon dioxide concentration and occupancy data in congregate locations and public transport on 88 occasions, in Cape Town, South Africa. For each location, we estimated ventilation rates and the relative rate of infection, accounting for ventilation rates and occupancy. Results We show that the estimated potential transmission rate in congregate settings and public transport varies greatly between different settings. Overall, in the community we studied, estimated infection risk was higher in minibus taxis and trains than in salons, bars, and shops. Despite good levels of ventilation, infection risk could be high in the clinic due to high occupancy levels. Conclusion Public transport in particular may be promising targets for infection prevention and control interventions in this setting, both to reduce Mtb transmission, but also to reduce the transmission of other airborne pathogens such as measles and SARS-CoV-2.
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    Towards understanding the drivers of policy change: a case study of infection control policies for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in South Africa
    (BioMed Central, 2017-05-30) Saidi, Trust; Salie, Faatiema; Douglas, Tania S
    Background: Explaining policy change is one of the central tasks of contemporary policy analysis. In this article, we examine the changes in infection control policies for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Africa from the time the country made the transition to democracy in 1994, until 2015. We focus on MDR-TB infection control and refer to decentralised management as a form of infection control. Using Kingdon’s theoretical framework of policy streams, we explore the temporal ordering of policy framework changes. We also consider the role of research in motivating policy changes. Methods: Policy documents addressing MDR-TB in South Africa over the period 1994 to 2014 were extracted. Literature on MDR-TB infection control in South Africa was extracted from PubMed using key search terms. The documents were analysed to identify the changes that occurred and the factors driving them. Results: During the period under study, five different policy frameworks were implemented. The policies were meant to address the overwhelming challenge of MDR-TB in South Africa, contextualised by high prevalence of HIV infection, that threatened to undermine public health programmes and the success of antiretroviral therapy rollouts. Policy changes in MDR-TB infection control were supported by research evidence and driven by the high incidence and complexity of the disease, increasing levels of dissatisfaction among patients, challenges of physical, human and financial resources in public hospitals, and the ideologies of the political leadership. Activists and people living with HIV played an important role in highlighting the importance of MDR-TB as well as exerting pressure on policymakers, while the mass media drew public attention to infection control as both a cause of and a solution to MDR-TB. Conclusion: The critical factors for policy change for infection control of MDR-TB in South Africa were rooted in the socioeconomic and political environment, were supported by extensive research, and can be framed using Kingdon’s policy streams approach as an interplay of the problem of the disease, political forces that prevailed and alternative proposals.
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    Towards understanding the drivers of policy change: a case study of infection control policies for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in South Africa
    (2017) Saidi, Trust; Salie, Faatiema; Douglas, Tania S
    BACKGROUND: Explaining policy change is one of the central tasks of contemporary policy analysis. In this article, we examine the changes in infection control policies for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Africa from the time the country made the transition to democracy in 1994, until 2015. We focus on MDR-TB infection control and refer to decentralised management as a form of infection control. Using Kingdon's theoretical framework of policy streams, we explore the temporal ordering of policy framework changes. We also consider the role of research in motivating policy changes. METHODS: Policy documents addressing MDR-TB in South Africa over the period 1994 to 2014 were extracted. Literature on MDR-TB infection control in South Africa was extracted from PubMed using key search terms. The documents were analysed to identify the changes that occurred and the factors driving them. RESULTS: During the period under study, five different policy frameworks were implemented. The policies were meant to address the overwhelming challenge of MDR-TB in South Africa, contextualised by high prevalence of HIV infection, that threatened to undermine public health programmes and the success of antiretroviral therapy rollouts. Policy changes in MDR-TB infection control were supported by research evidence and driven by the high incidence and complexity of the disease, increasing levels of dissatisfaction among patients, challenges of physical, human and financial resources in public hospitals, and the ideologies of the political leadership. Activists and people living with HIV played an important role in highlighting the importance of MDR-TB as well as exerting pressure on policymakers, while the mass media drew public attention to infection control as both a cause of and a solution to MDR-TB. CONCLUSION: The critical factors for policy change for infection control of MDR-TB in South Africa were rooted in the socioeconomic and political environment, were supported by extensive research, and can be framed using Kingdon's policy streams approach as an interplay of the problem of the disease, political forces that prevailed and alternative proposals.
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    Tuberculosis infection control measures in healthcare facilities in Moyen-Ogooué Province, Gabon
    (2021-11-05) Vigenschow, Anja; Adegbite, Bayodé R.; Edoa, Jean-Ronald; Alabi, Abraham; Adegnika, Akim A; Grobusch, Martin P; Massinga-Loembe, Marguerite
    Background Healthcare workers (HCW) are at higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. We assessed healthcare facilities for their TB infection control standards and priorities. Methods A standardised tool was applied. The assessment was conducted by direct observation, documents review and interviews with the facility heads. Results Twenty healthcare facilities were assessed; 17 dispensaries, an HIV-clinic, a private not-for-profit hospital and a public regional hospital. In both hospitals, outpatient departments, internal medicine wards, paediatric wards, emergency departments; and the MDR-TB unit of the public regional hospital were assessed. In Gabon, there are currently no national guidelines for TB infection control (TBIC) in healthcare settings. Consequently, none of the facilities had an infection control plan or TBIC focal point. In three departments of two facilities (2/20 facilities), TB patients and presumed TB cases were observed to be consistently provided with surgical masks. One structure reported to regularly test some of its personnel for TB. Consultation rooms were adequately ventilated in six primary care level facilities (6/17 dispensaries) and in none of the hospitals, due to the use of air conditioning. Adequate personal protective equipment was not provided regularly by the facilities and was only found to be supplied in the MDR-TB unit and one of the paediatric wards. Conclusions In Moyen-Ogooué province, implementation of TBIC in healthcare settings is generally low. Consequently, HCW are not sufficiently protected and therefore at risk for M. tuberculosis infection. There is an urgent need for national TBIC guidelines and training of health workers to safeguard implementation.