The need for an innovative approach to reducing Healthcare Associated Infections in Africa

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) pose a major global problem.

These infections can result in:

  • Prolonged hospital stays and/or hospital readmissions
  • Disfigurement and long-term disability
  • Increased antibiotic resistance
  • Financial and manpower burdens for an already resource-challenged healthcare system
  • Increased costs of treatment for patients
  • Unnecessary deaths

Developed countries like the United States of America and Germany have surveillance systems in place that provide regular reporting on national HAI trends. In developing countries systemic reporting does not exist, so the prevalence of HAIs remains mostly unmeasured and unreported.

Diagnosing HAIs is a complex process.

Challenges include limited resources for the implementation of effective surveillance programs, and the presence of very few subject matter experts. Additionally, economic challenges in developing countries exacerbate social and healthcare system deficiencies, while hospital overcrowding and understaffing result in insufficient infection control policies and procedures.1

HAI numbers in Africa.

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On the African continent, the cumulative incidence of HAI following various surgical procedures ranges from 10% to 30.9% – markedly higher than in high income countries.1
In Algeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Tanzania, hospital-wide HAI prevalence varies between 2.5% to 14.8%.1
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Ethiopia and Nigeria report overall HAI cumulative incidence in surgical wards of between 5.7% and 45.8%.1
A study in Kenya reports the cumulative incidence of surgical site infections after caesarean section to be 19% overall and 33% among women in labour for more than 12 hours.1
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In South Africa, S. aureus remains a major pathogen countrywide, with between 30-60% of isolates resistant to cloxacillin (MRSA).3

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Kiara Health (Pty) Ltd
72 Steel Road, Spartan
Kempton Park,
Johannesburg
South Africa
info@kiarahealth.com
1 Nejad, S. B. et al. Health-care-associated infection in Africa: a systematic review. Bull World Health Organ 2011;89:757-765 | doi:10,2471/BLT.11.088179
2 xenex.com
3 Bamford et al. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of selected bacteraemic isolates from South African public sector hospitals, 2010. South Afr J Epidemiol Infect 2011; 26(4) (Part II): 243-250
4 Fornwalt L, et al., Trinity Medical Center in AJIC 2016

Disclaimer: The Xenex Robot is a device that effectively and efficiently destroys bacteria, viruses and spores. While the Xenex Robot is an effective means of disinfecting the environment, infection and death rates are impacted by a variety of factors, including hand hygiene practices, disinfection methods and practices, and other factors. Xenex/Kiara makes no representation or warranty, whether expressed or implied, that the hospital will experience any reduction in its infection or death rates by purchasing or using the Xenex Robot. While hospitals have published peer reviewed outcome studies showing infection reductions of between 50-100%, the Xenex Robot does not warrant or claim that it prevents infections or death or prevents any person from contracting disease.

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