New Paradigm for Battling Hospital-Acquired Infections in Developing Countries.

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose critical threats to maternal and child health in low-resource settings, with Kano State, Nigeria, reporting 6.3% of national HAI burdens and 85% of diphtheria cases. Despite global infection prevention and control (IPC) advancements, implementation gaps persist. This study engaged 50 multidisciplinary stakeholders including Kano State CDC, WHO, UNICEF, healthcare leaders, and community representatives through a three-day participatory workshop to co-develop a context-specific IPC framework. Key outcomes included standardized state IPC guidelines, facility-level monitoring committees, enhanced healthcare worker training, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocols, and dedicated isolation centers. The initiative reduced HAIs by 42% (p < 0.01) in pilot facilities, with notable improvements in pediatric and maternal wards. Barriers such as inconsistent PPE access (reported by 68% of staff) were addressed through localized solutions, including community health worker engagement. Aligned with WHO's Strategic Goal Five and SDG targets for quality care and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) reduction, this model demonstrates how stakeholder-driven IPC strategies can mitigate outbreaks in high-burden settings. Findings advocate for scalable, participatory approaches to strengthen health systems, directly impacting maternal-child survival and AMR containment in Nigeria and similar regions.