Barriers to infection prevention and control implementation in selected healthcare facilities in Nigeria

Objective

While infection prevention and control are of paramount importance, up until recently an assessment of implementation challenges and performance gaps was lacking. This study explored the barriers to infection prevention and control implementation at selected healthcare facilities, the objective being to find ways to improve their programs.

Material and Method

A qualitative approach was applied. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty-three healthcare facilities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. They were globally assessed, and an Infection Prevention and Control team, represented by the Infection Prevention and Control referent in each of the selected facilities trained the participants. Data were collected using the Key Informant Interview Guide and analyzed by means of content and thematic analyses using Atlas.ti software.

Results

Inadequate infection prevention and control materials, poor waste management, non-compliance of patients with infection prevention and control protocols, and poor infrastructure were identified as major barriers to infection prevention and control implementation.

Conclusion

The study concluded that a number of identified factors hindering infection prevention and control implementation in healthcare facilities in Ekiti State needed to be addressed.