Assessment of Infection Prevention and Control Programs in Some Health Facilities in Cameroon using the World Health Organization Assessment Framework

Healthcare associated infections (HCAI) remain a global` problem, affecting millions of people worldwide and accounting for prolonged hospitalization and increased financial burden. Establishing infection prevention and control (IPC) programs is effective in reducing the incidence of HCAI, but the status of IPC programs is not well documented in Cameroon. We assessed the core components of IPC programs with a focus on HCAI surveillance in some health facilities using the WHO assessment framework (IPCAF). We carried out a cross-sectional study from October 2019 to January 2021. Health facilities were chosen purposefully. Trained data collectors traveled to health facilities and administered the IPCAF questionnaire to authorities of health facilities. All eight components of an IPC program were assessed. Data collected was analyzed using Statistic Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 27.0) software. Altogether 65 health facilities were assessed, 81.5% of which were public facilities. The median IPCAF score from the health facilities was 275 (Range: 112.5- 595) on a scale of 800, with most (86%) of them having either an inadequate (29%) or a basic (57%) IPC status. None of the health facilities attained the advanced IPC status. HCAI surveillance was the weakest of the eight IPC core components. Most (89.2%) of the health facilities did not include HCAI surveillance in their IPC programs. There is therefore need to strengthen IPC programs in health facilities in Cameroon, with a focus on the surveillance of HCAIs, which was the weakest core component.